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32
Atmospheric impurities are undoubtedly responsible in a wide measure for pulmonary
diseases and, indirectly, by reducing sunshine, for diseases peculiar to childhood (notably
rickets) as well as for a general lowering of the vitality. This deplorable state of affairs
cannot be remedied until practical steps on a large scale are taken to deal with the allimportant
problem of domestic smoke.
It is desirable that the Government and local authorities should not only encourage the
wide adoption of existing smokeless fuels such as gas and electricity but should also, by
educational methods, endeavour to secure the general use of solid smokeless fuels such as
those derived from low temperature carbonization. The general use of smokeless fuel in the
home fires as well as industrial furnaces would prove a valuable and effective measure of
lessening smoke and fog in town atmospheres.
Common Lodging Houses Acts, 1851 and 1853.
Thirteen Common Lodging Houses are registered in the Borough for 967
lodgers, viz., 842 males and 125 females.
The Common Lodging House accommodation in Ilolborn is equal to 21 beds
per 1,000 of the population. The death-rate amongst common lodging house residents
is very high; in this Borough it was 50.6 per 1,000 in 1928.
HOUSING.
During the year 551 houses occupied by the working classes were inspected;
this number consisted of 515 registered lodging houses and 36 non-registered
houses occupied by working classes. The total number of buildings in the Borough
occupied for dwelling puiposes is given by the Census, 1921, as 3,473. The
number of tenements occupied by working classes as returned to the London
County Council is 8,571. This figure represents the total tenements in the
Borough consisting of one, two, three or four rooms.
Housing Scheme, Bettcrton Street.
In the Annual Report for 1927, reference was made to a small housing scheme
undertaken by the Council in Betterton Street. It was reported that a block
of 15 flats, three on each floor, had been constructed and opened for occupation
on the 7th July that year.
During 1928 opportunity occurred for the extension of the scheme and the
Council acquired three houses adjoining the block already constructed. These
houses were not suitable for reconstruction and the Council decided to demolish
them and construct on the site a further block of 15 flats similar to those already
occupied. The plans were prepared by the Borough Surveyor, Mr. J. E. Parr,
A.M.Inst.C.E. and invitations were issued for tenders to carry out the work.
The tender of Messrs. W. Lambert it Son, of Chiswick, was accepted and the work
commenced at the latter part of the year. Unfortunately possession of the third
of the three houses could not be obtained before the work of demolition and
reconstruction was commenced, and some delay in completion must therefore be
anticipated. It is, however, hoped that the flats will be ready for occupation about
the middle of the year 1929.