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122
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
by one family would be quite satisfactory, are unsatisfactory when
occupied by two families, owing to the absence or inadequate provision
of sinks, larders and means of cooking and domestic washing.
(b) General character of the defects found to exist in unfit houses.
—Damp conditions due to defective roofs, guttering, and absence of
damp proof courses. Defective flooring, dry rot, absence of sinks
and coppers for domestic washing, absence of larders, defective
windows, frames and sills, defective internal walls and ceilings due
to age, and defective lighting and ventilation of staircases.
There were few cases where the drains were defective, and
only minor defects in water closets were found.
(2) Action taken as regards unfit houses under (a) the Public
Health Acts, (b) the Housing Acts.
(a) Notices served under Section 2, and if these were not
complied with in a reasonable time, statutory notices were served.
(b) Sixty-two premises were inspected by the Public Health
Committee and Closing Orders made and served. Owing to the
shortage of houses it was decided not to proceed further with these
Orders until suitable accommodation could be provided, unless in
the interval the owners carried out the necessary work to render the
houses fit for habitation.
(3) Difficulties in remedying unfitness, special measures taken,
and any suggestions in the matters.—Want and high cost of labour
and materials were the chief difficulties experienced. Another
difficulty was that to render the houses fit it would have been
necessary lor the tenants to vacate the premises, and as no other
accommodation was available the work could not be proceeded
with.
(4) Conditions, so far as they affect housing, as regards water
supply, closet accommodation, and refuse disposal.—The water
supply was in all cases satisfactory, the Metropolitan Water Board's
supply being used in all houses in the Borough. Cisterns, where
they are present, are generally kept in a clean condition.