View report page

43
Samples of water taken from the four wells in use were sent for examination.
The bacteriological reports were satisfactory but results of chemical analysis indicated
that the water could not be regarded as free from pollution. None of the water,
however, is used for dietetic purposes.
Water Samples—Miscellaneous.
One sample of sub'soil water was taken.
Ten samples of water were taken in connection with the new Cemetery at Trent
Park.
Swimming Bath Water.
The number of samples of swimming bath water taken during the year is a«
follows :—
Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
Chemical Bacteriological Chemical Bacteriological Chemical Bacteriological
3 34 3 33 — 1
SECTION D
HOUSING
(In conjunction with Mr. W. C. Bartlett, Chief Public Health Inspector).
During the last century the population of the Borough has more than doubled,
although the conditions under which the majority of residents have to live are far
from satisfactory and fall far short of modern standards of fitness. The face of
Islington is changing rapidly and the results of the unceasing efforts of both the
Borough Council and L.C.C. can be seen. Most of the houses in the Borough were
built 100 years ago and lack the amenities which are provided in up-to-date construc—
tion. Both the Borough and the County Council are unavoidably restricted in their
housing programme in such a built-up area as Islington.
The number of Flats and Houses erected during the year is :
Borough Council 295
London County Council 263
Private enterprise 54
The number of Municipal Flats and Houses erected in the Borough since the
war is :—
Borough Council 2,706
London County Council 2,460
The total dwellings in the Borough at the end of the year numbered 44,144.
The survey of the Borough as required by Section 1 of the Housing Repairs and
Rents Act, 1954, continued, but was not completed during the year because of staffing
difficulties. The re-housing situation having become so acute during the year, it
became necessary for the Council to reconsider the question of the allocation of
housing accommodation having regard to its statutory commitments, and, with
deepest regret, the Council decided most reluctantly to suspend the general waiting
list and no further names were to be added to the list of approximately 16,000
families.
Cases of overcrowding continued to be reported. More and more property is
falling into the hands of landlords who let furnished accommodation to as many
families as possible without regard to the permitted number or to the requirements of
Sections 11 and 12 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954. A typical case is
given below.