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75
The ceiling on ground floor appears to be unsafe in
places, and the staircase walls are exceedingly damp.
The ceiling in front room first floor which is occupied by
the caretaker is exceedingly unsound, looks dangerous and in
many places was wet from recent percolation of rain through
the roof. The rain also appeared to have come through that
part of the ceiling which was above the bed. This ceiling is
probably one of the worst in this area.
In this room there is a casement window, made to open
inwards. The rain beating against the window was running
in and down the wall beneath the window, in spite of the
efforts of the caretaker, who had placed cloths to soak up the
water.
The windows of the other two rooms also open inwards,
and although of recent construction allow the rain to enter.
The light in front of this house and No. 37 is obstructed
by the houses opposite which are only about 10 feet distant.
There is ample space behind with proper and sufficient
light. The sanitary arrangements are of recent construction
and good.
Trafalgar Street.
This street is situated at right angles to Aspen Place,
running up from that street towards the back gardens of
South Street and ends in a cul-de-sac. It is well paved, but
the blind end is frequently filled with coster barrows, empty
boxes, crates, etc.
The houses in this street are practically all in the same
degree of dilapidation and decay.
The walls have no damp proof course and are damp
without exception and many are unsound. The copings on
top of walls are loose and in some cases appear to be
dangerous. The roofs in some cases appear to have been
patched, but as a whole they are unsound, dilapidated and
quite inefficient. The windows in almost every house are
decayed, worn, and some are broken.
The rooms are small, badly lighted and the floors are in
many cases not ventilated. The walls inside are damp and
defective. The floors and stairs are worn and in bad condition.
The ceilings in most cases are sagged and unsound.
In every case the houses are infested with rats, and
recently a child was bitten.