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95
TENEMENT HOUSES.
The number of houses on the register as being let
in lodgings or occupied by members of more than one
family was 276 ; 1,235 visits of inspection were made
to these houses, and arising out of such visits 369
notices were served.
Comprehensive by-laws with regard to tenement
houses were made in 1925, although many important
clauses do not fully operate until six months after the
Rent Restrictions Acts have ceased to be in force.
During 1931, the L.C.C. made amending by-laws,
whereby certain of these clauses come into operation
upon any tenement houses becoming decontrolled.
Steps are now being taken to bring on to the register
the numerous premises in the Borough which come
under the by-laws. A commencement has been
made with those houses where a non-resident owner
has let the whole of the tenement separately.
RENT AND MORTGAGE INTEREST
RESTRICTIONS (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1933.
During the year 3 applications for a certificate
as to the state of repair of a house were received,
and granted.
WATER SUPPLY TO NEW HOUSES.
During the year 245 new houses were certified as
having a proper and sufficient water supply.
SMOKE NUISANCE.
During the year, 24 formal observations of smoke
shafts were made and 1 intimation and 1 statutory
notice were served.
As pointed out last year, the Council's powers,
being limited to the grosser nuisances created by
factories, are useless for dealing with the most serious
cause of atmospheric pollution—the ordinary
domestic chimney. It is to be hoped that the growing
popularity of electricity will gradually oust the
burning of crude coal in the Borough and thus enable
the residents to breathe somewhat purer air.