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in this way sewage was deposited under the floor boards
and water containing sewage passed through the joints
between the boards.
Carpets, bedding and other contents of the rooms
were fouled. In many cases, however, the damage was
mainly due to flood water and sewage did not gain
access to the premises. In some of the basements,
although the flooding was severe, the effects of the
flooding were minimised by the fact that the floors
were constructed of concrete or stone.
Mr. Holden, the Borough Surveyor, reported that
only a limited amount of damage was done to some of
the wood-paved surfaces which were quickly repaired.
After the storm, the Surveyor's men commenced
pumping to expedite the removal of the water from the
basements. The sanitary inspectors were able to give
considerable help and advice to the tenants and arranged
for their bedding, carpets and other belongings
to be disinfected at the Council's Disinfecting Station.
Notices were served on owners in many cases to
remove sewage from underneath floor boards, treat the
sites with lime and repair the floor boards. A good
deal of damage was also done to roofs and ceilings.
A large amount of work was done voluntarily by
owners who gave considerable help to the tenants. In
some cases the owners fitted anti-flood syphons in order
to prevent the possibility of sewage entering the premises
in the event of a storm occurring in the future,
and in other cases replaced wooden basement floors
with concrete.
Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions)
Act, 1920, Rent and Mortgage Interest
Restrictions Act, 1923.
Twenty-six applications for certificates that the
houses occupied were not in all respects reasonably fit
for human habitation or were otherwise not in a reasonable
state of repair were made during 1927.