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double bulkheads shall be fitted to all inhabited canal boats conveying house refuse and the
owners of such boats are taking all necessary action to comply with this interpretation of the
Regulations.
During the year, of the 31 inhabited boats known to be conveying house refuse from
Paddington Basin, nine were found to be fitted with double bulkheads. The remaining
22 boats will be refitted as circumstances permit.
HOUSING.
Conversions.—Section 102 of the Housing Act, 1925, empowers a County Court to vary the
terms of a lease or other instrument so as to enable a house to be converted into tenements,
notwithstanding any restrictive covenant there may be to the contrary. Two applications
under this Section were made during the year relative to the conversion into flats of Nos. 9
and 16 Palace Court.
An application was also made under Section 84 of the Law of Property Act, 1925,
with respect to the conversion into flats of No. 39, Queensborough Terrace.
Plans were submitted to the Council under the drainage bye-laws, relative to the conversion
of 29 premises into 87 tenements. It is probable that a number of other conversions were
carried out in which no interference with existing drainage was involved. Such conversions
would not come within the purview of the department.
Compulsory Repairs.—No notices were served under Section 3 of the Housing Act, 1925,
but 411 communications were sent to owners drawing attention to defects liable to be dealt
with under the section. These communications in most instances resulted in the defects
being remedied.
Unhealthy Areas.—No representations were made to the Council during 1929.
Houses Unfit for Habitation.—No representations were received or Closing Orders made
during the year.
Underground Rooms.—No rooms were dealt with under the Council's Regulations pursuant
to Section 18 of the Housing Act, 1925, or under Section 96 of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891.
Tenement Houses.—There were no additions to the Register, the total remaining the same
as at the close of the previous year, viz., 1,406. The inspections made by the two Special
Inspectors numbered 6,904. Particulars of the defects, etc., discovered and remedied will
be found on pages 38 and 39.
Overcrowding.—During 1929 six tenements in registered houses were reported to be
overcrowded. In only two instances was it possible to secure the abatement of 4he overcrowding
before the close of the year, the occupants of the remaining four tenements being
unable to find other accommodation.
Owing to existing social conditions only extreme cases of overcrowding are dealt with
by official action.
Annual Cleansing.—The usual practice with regard to the selection of special streets for
inspection was followed, a total of 983 houses being inspected during the year. Notices were
served for the cleansing and other work which was found to be necessary.
Common Lodging Houses.—The customary inspection was made by the Sanitary Inspector
of the district of the 5 common lodging houses in Kilburn Lane, prior to the annual licensing
by the London County Council.
During the year 7 deaths from various causes occurred among the occupants of these
houses.
Housing Act : Rent Books.—At one house the rent books were found not to contain
the required particulars. A cautionary letter was addressed to the owner.