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81
China Walk Area was represented on September 24th, 1924, under
the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890 (Part I) as an improvement
scheme, much needed on account of the narrowness of the roads
and streets and the closeness of the houses comprised in the area, and
the consequent absence of proper light and ventilation for the separate
houses, which, however, were, individually, in a fair state of repair.
The area is in no sense a slum in the usual acceptation of that term,
and the representation was, accordingly, made by the Medical Officer
of Health as an improvement scheme. The statistical details which
were prepared in connection with the representation are set out in an
appendix to this Report (Appendix IV),
Representations and Closing Orders under Section 17 of
the Housing, Town Planning, Etc, Act, 1909.
During 1924, the Medical Officer of Health made no representations
to the Council under Section 17 of the 1909 Housing
Act, and, consequently, no Closing Orders were made by the
Council.*
General Housing Matters,
The Council's two Housing Sanitary Inspectors have continued
their special work of systematic house to house inspection of
dwelling-houses, and drawing up schedules of works required to render
such dwelling-houses reasonably fit in all respects for human
habitation, under the powers conferred upon the Borough Council,
as the Local Housing Authority, under Section 28 of the Housing,
Town Planning, etc.. Act, 1919.
During the year 1924, 642 Notices of Intention to Survey have
been issued, and sent or given to the occupiers, and to the owners,
of the houses selected by the Medical Officer of Health, and approved
by the Public Health Committee on behalf of the Council, as
required under Section 36 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc.,
Act, 1909. 474 Surveys or Inspections have been made, under
the Housing Inspection Regulations of the Housing, Town Planning,
etc., Act, 1909, and 474 Provisional (or Informal) Schedules prepared,
as suggested by the Ministry of Health in its Manual on
* The Closing Order made by the Council on June 26th, 1919 in respect of
26, Albert Embankment was determined by the Council on Feb. 14th, 1924, the
premises having b?en rendered fit for human habitation at the end of 1923 (vide
Annual Report, 1923, P. 81).