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148
stantly to keep watch upon such buildings in order to prevent
them reverting to dwelling houses. When the Act is amended,
as it will have to be very shortly, the sanitary authority should
be required to demolish a house only if they deem it expedient
to do so.
The work carried out by the Committee during 1911 has far
exceeded the amount done in any previous year, and the
Committee has in every case given the matter very careful
consideration before deciding what action should be taken with
respect to the property.
The Medical Officer of Health in all instances advises the
owners concerning the wishes of the Committee, and an oppor-,
tunity of meeting the Committee and hearing their views on the
matter is open to each owner. Any objection which they have
to the action of the Committee is taken into consideration. It
is also open for the owners to lay an improvement scheme
before the Committee to present to the Council.
Where the owner wishes for a specification of the work to
be done under Section 15, to render his property fit for habitation,
these specifications are prepared by your Inspector, and after
approval by the Committee are supplied as a matter of courtesy
only and without prejudice, and all work is supervised by the
Inspector.
There are a large number of houses within the borough
which, though structurally good, are allowed to fall into a state
of internal disrepair, and become insanitary owing to neglect.
It is hoped that Section 14 of the Housing and Town Planning
Act, which implies fitness for habitation on letting, and the
maintenance of this condition, will cause more careful supervision
of the interior as well as the exterior of the property.
Your Medical Officer wishes to draw attention to the undesirable