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(London) Act, 1891, for dealing with the evils existing in connection
with the houses in the area." They suggested, therefore,
the exercise of the powers of inspection and regulation
of houses let in lodgings under the said section with a view to
mitigating such evils.
A further communication was addressed to the Council
pointing out that the powers referred to had been exercised,
and having been found to be inadequate for the purpose, the
aid of the Council, as local authority under the Housing Act,
was desired. The Committee, however, again declined to
advise the Council to acquire the houses, and thus the most
hopeful prospect of effecting some real improvement in the
condition of the district came to naught.
Before and since that futile effort, much had been done by
your Vestry to effect amelioration of the physical conditions
of the locality and its inhabitants. Several of the streets have
been paved with asphalte, and the remaining streets will be
dealt with in like manner ere long. The street gullies have
been effectually trapped; the surface sewer ventilating openings
have been closed, and the sewers are now ventilated by shafts
carried up against houses. As a result of the house-tohouse
inspection, by Inspectors Steward and Pettit, made in
May—June, much work of a structural character,and cleansing,
was carried out in compliance with the requirements of the
Sanitary Committee. The houses are, upon the whole, fairly
well sanitated: many of the drains have been intercepted
from the sewers, and all of them have been ventilated. At
many of the houses drinking water is drawn direct from the
main. Additional water-closet accommodation has been
provided where necessary on account of the number of the
persons resident in particular houses. Many of the yards have
been more or less well paved—a work which should be carried
out to completion. And lastly, the few houses not on the
register of houses let in lodgings or occupied by members of
more than one family, have been registered. The greatest