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The Inspector reported that the number of empty rooms—furnished and unfurnished alike—
had latterly been above the average. The "trade" in furnished rooms was " bad " ; and the same
remark applied to the common lodging-houses. The number of persons seeking accommodation
for a single night only, fluctuates considerably, but it appeared (in March, 1907) to be on the increase.
The landlords were looking for better times to the establishment of a street-market in Princes
Road.
Evidences of Improvement.—What was said anent the evil condition of the Area in the 1896
reports, was based, largely, upon the indications furnished by the statistics of mortality. It has
been shown that in regard to these, much improvement was observable in 1906, as compared with
1896; I thought it well, therefore, to ascertain from such of the witnesses as were still connected
with the district whether there were any corresponding indications of improvement in the current
social state of the inhabitants.
The Superintendent Relieving Officer, who had charge of a part of the Area in 1896, replied
to my inquiry as follows:
"I am glad to say that there is a decided improvement in the condition of the people,
generally, residing in the [four] streets mentioned"; adding however, that " there is still ample
scope for future labour in that direction."
The District Medical Officer wrote:—
"There has been very marked improvement; there seems to be less poverty, less disease
and very marked improvement in the moral aspect of the place; in fact, it hardly seems
the same district"; adding, that " the Kensington Borough Council, and the Public Health
Department, are to be heartily congratulated for the very able manner in which they have
tackled what seemed so difficult a task."
The Sanitary Inspector in charge of the district is of the opinion that improvement has taken
place all round; and notes, especially, the improvement in school attendance, evidenced by the
smaller number of children of school age seen in the streets during school hours.
The cause or causes of the improvement. Assuming the improvement to be real, it becomes an
interesting question—To what cause or causes is it due? From the social side I would attribute
it, in a measure, to the labours of the clergy, the district visitors, and philanthropic agencies generally.
To the sustained efforts of the Board of Guardians and their staff—whose courtesy in facilitating
the inquiry, by information supplied, and permitted access to official records, I desire to
acknowledge—the reduction in pauperism may fairly be credited; whilst the services of the London
County Council, through their official staff concerned with the supervision of common lodginghouses,
should not be ignored; the successful efforts to secure cleanliness of houses, bedding, etc.;
the practical extermination of "vermin," and the prevention of overcrowding, are specially deserving
of mention. Lastly, it may be claimed that no effort has been spared by the Sanitary
Authority, and the staff of the public health department, to carry out the provisions of law, and,
generally, to raise the character of the district. The state of the drainage leaves nothing to be
desired. The water supply is fairly satisfactory—though I could wish for abolition of cisterns for
Note.—At the date of the enquiry, there were (in addition) twelve houses occupied each by one family, and three
empty houses.
*There are three beer-houses; a fourth was closed in 1906. In the Area, and vicinity, there were 17 public houses in
1906, of which four were closed, and one other will be closed, as the result of the Council's opposition to the renewal of the
licenses.
†Of the 17 common lodging houses, 8 are in Crescent Street, 5 in Bangor Street and 4 in Sirdar (formerly St
Clement's) Road.