View report page

83
In June, 1934, I reported to the Housing Committee the conditions
existing at Nos. 2, 3 and 7, Golden Yard, which were such that they
could not be made fit for human habitation at a reasonable cost.
Accordingly, the question of taking action under the Housing Act,
1930, was considered by the Housing Committee at its meeting on 8th
October. The owner furnished the Town Clerk with a written undertaking
not to use or allow to be used Nos. 2 and 3 for human
habitation after alternative accommodation had been offered or found
for the present tenants, and upon vacation of the premises to allow
them to be used only for business purposes. He further undertook to
recondition No. 7 to the satisfaction of the Council. This reconditioning
included the addition of a kitchenette, discontinuance of the use of
a basement room, and improved light and ventilation by means of
additional windows.
The photograph (facing page 81) illustrates the condemned houses
in Golden Yard, and also the houses in Holly Mount, which were constructed
on top of the Golden Yard houses.
Fairfax Place and Yard.
I reported to the Housing Committee on 8th October the conditions
found upon inspection to exist at 1, 2, 3 and 4, Fairfax Yard, and 3,
5, 7, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43 and 45, Fairfax Place.
These premises were originally constructed as stables and lofts with
rooms for stablemen, and now consist of dwelling rooms over garages
and workplaces. They fall far short of present day standards for
working class homes. These conditions were duly considered by the
Housing Committee on the 3rd of December, and upon their recommendation
Closing Orders were made with respect to the upper parts
of all the premises, with the exception of Nos. 3, 5 and 7, Fairfax
Place. No appeal was lodged to the County Court against these
Closing Orders. These latter premises, Nos. 3, 5 and 7, differed from
the other properties in Fairfax Place inasmuch as they possessed
adequate through ventilation, and the tenants had the use of back yards
and washhouses. The Owners submitted proposals for reconditioning
the premises to the satisfaction of the Council which were accepted by
the Housing Committee on the 7th of January, 1935.
The remaining premises in Fairfax Place are to be dealt with in
1935.