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1899]
210
to consider that their sole duty is to endeavour to evade the Vestry's
notices, and to execute as little work, as possible. On the other
hand some agents, particularly those living in Islington (although
here there is at least one noteable exception) and in the Western
District of the Metropolis readily meet the Vestry's demands and
execute really creditable work.
It is a singular fact, but none the less true, that the more
impoverished the property is, and the more it is occupied by poor
people, the more difficult it is to get the owners to effect necessary
work, particularly where the ground landlords have neglected to
make them keep the property in fair condition. As a rule this class
of property is held on short leases, and is owned by persons wh se
only anxiety is to receive the maximum amount of money with the
minimum of expenditure. Yet this is the very description of house
that requires most to be done to it, in fact costs most to keep up,
both structurally and sanitarily. There is no doubt that as leases
in Islington approach their termination, houses of this class will
increase, and will require the closest supervision. The Sanitary
Staff of the Vestry are now doing this as far as possible, and, I
trust, not without success.