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61
HOUSING.
Registration.—At the close of 1902, 580 houses were on the Register. During the past
year 205 houses were added, making the number of houses on the Register at the close of
1903, 851. Registration involves the obtaining of particulars as to sex and age of each
inhabitant, of rooms inhabited by each family, and rent paid for same. This information
the landlord has to supply, and frequently several communications (or calls) are required
to obtain the requisite return (324 " notices" and 137 " reminders" were issued). The
Inspectors then have to measure each room and determine its cubic capacity, inspect the
house to ascertain if it comes up to the requirements of the By-laws, and secure the
amendment of defects and (or) removal of nuisances. Originally the supervision of such
work was entrusted to the District Inspectors, but it has been found necessary to transfer
this duty to the Special Inspectors. As a consequence, the number of houses added to the
Register is somewhat smaller than was anticipated. The two Special Inspectors made
2,007 inspections during the year (apart from inspections required for the "annual cleansing")
in connection with registration and general supervision of registered houses. On registration
each landlord receives a communication stating that the house has been registered, and with
that are sent copies of all By-laws imposing duties or liabilities on landlords, and a table
giving the cubic capacities of the rooms registered. Three (3) summonses were required for
failure to supply the information demanded.