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49
SANITARY ADMINISTRATION.
Public Mortuary.
The Public Mortuary provided by the Council is situated in Goldsmith Street.
During the year 32 bodies were deposited. There were 24 post mortem examinations
made, and 21 inquests held. The inquests are held in the Court Room at the Council
Offices. On eight occasions bodies awaiting burial were removed to the mortuary on
account of inadequate accommodation in the homes.
Inquests.
During the year forty-eight inquests were held on the bodies of Holborn
parishioners. Many of these died outside the Borough and the inquests were held
in the district where death took place, the deaths being subsequently transferred to
Holborn. The causes of death certified as a result of such inquests were:—Natural
causes, 21; Accidents, 17 ; Suicide, 7 ; Manslaughter, 2 ; Wilful Murder, 1.
Revenue Acts.
One application was received for a certificate that a block of tenements in the
Borough are so constructed as to afford suitable accommodation for the families or
persons inhabiting the same. The premises were inspected and a certificate granted
subject to the condition that the certificate did not imply that the house would
comply in all respects with the requirements of the By-laws to be issued under Section
26 of the Housing, Town Planning, &c. Act, 1919.
HOUSING.
In Holborn a large proportion of the resident population belonging to the working
classes are housed in tenements in block buildings provided by the London County
Council or by philanthropic enterprise. Many others live in houses let in lodgings,
houses originally intended for the middle classes, but now let off in apartments of one,
two, three, four or more rooms. There are also a number of caretakers residing on
office premises and a number of people living in mews over stables, most of which have
been converted into garages. There are practically 110 small dwelling houses such
as are met with in the suburbs.
In 1919 the housing survey established the need for sufficient dwellings to
rehouse about 200 persons who were about to be displaced by the clearance of the Wild
Street area by the Incorporated Society for Improving the Condition of the
Labouring Classes. This clearance is in course of progress: the Society intend
to provide housing accommodation on the site for the displaced tenants.
The Italian Colony, covering nearly three-quarters of an acre, was first represented
as an unhealthy area in 1901 and 1905. An enquiry was held by the Local Government
Board, in 1906. As a result 48 houses forming the courts were demolished, and
the lighting and ventilation of the remaining houses much improved. The structural