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24
ON THE SANITARY CONDITION OF
Housing of the Working Glasses Act.—During 1899, the
Arbitrator appointed by the Home Secretary, held enquiries as
to the compensation to be paid by the Council in respect of those
claims which had not been settled by agreement, and practically
the Council have now acquired most of the property under the
Clare Market Scheme.
At the end of 1899, 99 houses were entirely closed and
many others were only partially inhabited, probably about 1,000
persons have been displaced during the year. The death-rate
for the Area estimated on the population as calculated to the
middle of 1899, is 36 per 1,000, which is also the average of
the preceding eight years. Of the 84 deaths, 18 were due to
Consumption.
Houses Let in Lodgings.—At the end of 1899, 112 premises
had been placed upon the Register (51 in St. Anne's, 61 in the
Strand). Of these 8 are at present closed. Those occupied
contain 967 rooms, and accommodate 2,015 persons. Several
owners of registered houses have been cautioned during the year,
and in one instance an owner was summoned and fined £2 and
2s. costs, for failing to maintain the drainage of a registered
house in good condition, whereby the basement was flooded for
several days with sewage. Many of the tenants have been
cautioned for neglecting to keep their places clean. Inspection of
the houses has been made, on several occasions, early in the
morning, and on one occasion, by myself, in regard to suspected
cases, late at night.
Legal Proceedings have been taken:—
(1.) To close premises No. 104, Drury Lane, unfit for habitation
(order and costs);
(2.) To enforce an order of the Board in respect of defective
drainage at No. 6, Yere Street (order to do work, and
costs);
(3.) Against a builder for failing to give notice of intention
to construct a water-closet, and for improperly constructing
the same. Penalty inflicted, £3 and 2s. costs.