View report page

dation is insufficient, and it has been necessary to distribute some
of them about the Town Hall.
The unsuitability of the present rooms in point of overcrowding
is only equalled by the deficiencies in the matter of light, heat and
ventilation.
HOUSING.
At a meeting of the Housing Committee a complaint from an
outside body was made as to the bad condition of certain houses in
Delaford Road. Councillors Ashby and Swales were appointed to
go over the property, and the Housing Committee further ordered
that notices should be served under Sec. 28 of the 1919 Act. The
two Councillors duly reported to the effect that the property was in
a bad condition and should be demolished as not tit for habitation,
that the repairs were unsatisfactory, and that the attention of the
Loudon County Council should be called to the matter.
The London County Council and their Surveyor were duly
communicated with, and the latter reported that if the property
were properly maintained, the houses were no worse than many
others. It must be remarked that on account of their not being of
the best types in building construction, to maintain them properly
would cost more than they are worth.
No progress has been made with the improvement of Hampton's
Avenue. This property is situated on berth sides of a road. That on
the North side is not only badly designed, but the structure is so defective
that most of it has had to be strengthened ; but on the South
side, which overlooks the gardens of the small houses in Brisbane
and Chiswell Streets, although much is dilapidated, there is a fair
amount of solid material which I believe could be turned into a
number of habitable tenements. Perhaps it is due to the fascination
exerted on the Council by those who have taken up the idea of a new
area in this locality that this authority has been lured away from
treatment, which is perhaps not so showy or ambitous, but a good
deal more practical. At the present time the best that can be said
for these houses is that they supply a roof but not necessarily walls
to those who but for this shelter might be in a sorry condition.
Carpenter's Place, another part, which especially calls for
attention, has been surveyed, and notices served to put into repair
have been sent under Section 28 of the Housing Act, which were not
complied with within the required time. A joint survey by the
Borough Engineer and myself was carried out and a price was given
as to the expenditure which must be incurred by the Borough
Council should they wish to exercise their powers under the Act.
This sum, however, seemed a greater expense than the Housing
Committee could recommend and the conditions remain as they
were. The four houses are all of the same age and type, but the
different conditions in which they are affords a striking object lesson
on the influence of good or bad tenants. They, however, form but
a part of an area, including Blue Anchor Lane, &c., which must be
taken in hand at an early date.