View report page

140
OVERCROWDING.
I have had on many occasions to refer in the monthly
reports to the offence of overcrowding, and last year I drew attention
to a case which had attracted attention in the press, as an
illustration of a common mode of bringing about this dangerous
nuisance. A married couple obtained a " furnished" room
(having a capacity of 1,300 cubic feet) in a registered house in
St. Clement's-road (in the "Notting-dale" district) for themselves
and three young children. Soon after they took
possession two older children were introduced, the family thus
comprising seven persons, equivalent to five adults, requiring
an air space of 2,000 cubic feet. The "keeper " of the house
did not report the nuisance to us, but he called in the Inspector
for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children, and ultimately proceedings were taken against the
father and mother, who were sent to prison for six weeks and
one month respectively. It is a common practice with people
having large families to conceal the number of their children
until after entering into possession of their lodging—usually a
single room ; and then, should it be desired to get rid of them,
all the tedious processes, by notices, police-court proceedings,
&c., have to be gone through, these occupying many (at least
six) weeks,during which time the unfortunate landlord may not
receive any rent on peril of failure to obtain an ejectment orderIn
the above case, had it been reported to me, proceedings
could have been taken under the second bye-law for houses let
in lodgings or occupied by members of more than one family,
but these would have occupied two or three weeks at the least.
The people were in occupation of the room for nine weeks, the
nominal taking, however, being by the day or night; but no
rent, it is stated, was paid during the last five weeks. The
"keeper" of a registered house is equally liable with the
''lodger" for the offence of overcrowding, and as I pointed out in
the ninth report (August 13th, page 111), it would be well
if a bye-law were made requiring him, under penalty, to