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28
These cases are followed up, and the premises are
inspected with a view to any insanitary conditions being
remedied. This form of co-ordination is carried out as far
as possible under the present conditions. There is little or no
contact between the School Medical Officers and the Medical
Officers of Health of the Metropolitan Boroughs. The latter's
knowledge of the health of the school children depends entirely
upon the very little information he obtains from the School
Medical Officers.
HOUSING.
Overcrowding in the congested areas of the Borough is
still as acute as described in the last annual report.
In 1926, approximately 202 houses were erected, all by
private enterprise. Altogether 1,640 houses have been completed
since 1920, but in spite of this, there appear to be
as many applicants for housing accommodation as existed a
year ago.
It frequently happens that families consisting of man,
wife and several children are found to be occupying one or
two rooms. This often leads to offences against the Bye-Laws
of the London County Council, with regard to indecent occupation,
where people of opposite sex sleep in the same room.
This is bound to cause a sense of moral degradation and
unhappiness amongst the families concerned.
Many Notices for overcrowding have been served on these
people during the year.
A notable and praiseworthy attempt at housing for the
working classes is nearing completion on the site of the Convent
of the Good Shepherd, Fulham Palace Road. Here, the
Peabody Donation Fund are erecting a complete lay-out of
blocks of dwellings and cottages with 1, 2, 3 and 4 rooms
with domestic conveniences for about 280 families. The layout
has been well conceived, distribution of accommodation
is excellent, and from an architectural point of view it is
splendid in every way. There are central baths and washhouses
with a constant supply of hot water. In these buildings
the family washing is done, near to, but outside the
house, and must be a great boon to the occupiers. There is
an excellent series of baths which must add to the general
cleanliness and health of the people.
The only criticism one can offer is that the lighting is done
by gas instead of electricity. This, in my opinion, is to be
regretted.
On the whole one cannot but admire the Peabody Donation
Fund for the erection of these buildings and the Architect
for the lay-out and general design.