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not finally prevented, whilst the inmates of the different
houses reap the advantages which accrue from greater
cleanliness, due to more constant supervision. Both the
landlords and the lodgers of the houses are, under certain
conditions, liable legally to the Vestry in the event of a
nuisance or nuisances existing on their premises, owing to
the contravention or non-enforcement of any (or of all) of
such Bye-laws, a copy of which is printed in the Appendix
to this Report.
The importance of this work cannot be over-estimated,
more especially in respect of the Inner Districts, where there
is no doubt but that a tendency to overcrowd, and actual
overcrowding, exist to a greater or lesser extent, and where
much good will, in consequence, arise, if these Bye-laws are
rigorously and systematically enforced. The question arises
as to the need of a Special Inspector, whose whole time
could be with ease taken up in carrying out such duties.
As to the good that would accrue from such an appointment
there can be no reasonable doubt, and it is to be hoped that
the Vestry will see their way to appoint such an officer at
an early date—the present Inspectors of the Inner Districts
having their time more than fully occupied with their ordinary
routine duties in connection with complaints, infectious
diseases, drainage, etc. The Public Health Act, it must be
remembered, makes it compulsory upon the Vestry to carry
out these Bye-laws, and such duty becomes an arduous one
in the case of the Inner Districts of the Parish, where the
majority of the houses, owing to insufficient house accommodation
and high rents, are sublet to members of more
than one family, and are such as require the extra supervision
and inspection which are only to be obtained under such
Bye-laws, and which will tend to mitigate the evils arising
from overcrowding, and dirty and insanitary premises.