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126
regard to registered houses, the "keeper" is equally liable with
the "lodger" for the offence of overcrowding, and as I pointed
out in the ninth report for 1896 (August l3ith, page 111), it
would be well if a bye-law were made requiring him, under
penalty, to report any case of overcrowding to the sanitary
authority. On consideration of the report, your Vestry
decided to apply to the Local Government Board for sanction
to a bye-law requiring the keeper of a registered house to report
overcrowding, as follows :—
"If any lodger in a registered house cause or suffer any room under his
control to be occupied by a greater number cf persons than is allowed
by this bye-law, it shall be the duty of the keeper of the registered
house, upon his becoming aware of the fact, to notify such fact to the
Medical Officer."
In the sixth report for 1897, (25th June), a further suggestion
for a new bye-law was made with a view to enforce the provision
and maintenance at the "furnished" rooms in registered
houses, of bedding which should be clean and wholesome, and
free from noxious insects. The matter was referred to the
Sanitary Committee, who recommended (6th October)—
"That the Vestry do approve of a draft bye-law in the
following terms, and that the same be submitted
to the Local Government Board for their approval,
viz.:—
"The landlord or keeper of a registered house in which
rooms are let in furnished lodgings, shall cause
the bedding and other articles in such rooms to
be at all times maintained in a clean and wholesome
condition and free from noxious insects."
The Local Government Board's views on the subject of these
proposed new bye-laws have not yet been received, and the
bye-laws framed and adopted in 1885 are still in force,