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143
condition of the rooms and the blocked condition of the water.closets.
The premises have been constantly visited by Mr. Jenkinson, the ward
inspector. He has had considerable difficulty in getting his notices
complied with, principally due to the incapacity of the owner of the
premises to manage her property. The owner's estate is in bankruptcy,
which makes it difficult for the Council to proceed against the Receiver in
the Police Court with any degree of satisfaction.
I have written to the lady, who is the Receiver, advising her to
appoint some lady accustomed to the administering of such property,
but up to now she has been content to look after it herself, with the
assistance of an occasional caretaker who is supposed to do the repairs.
I would advise the Committee to continue serving notices, and in the
event of them being disregarded to proceeed before the Magistrate, as we
have done on so many occasions during this year. If that has not the
desired effect within a further short time, the Magistrate could be asked
to grant a closing order against the premises.
The persons occupying these premises are a great nuisance to the
neighbourhood."
Closing of houses in Steedman Court.
(Nos. 14, 14a, 16, 16a, 18, 20, and 20a, Steedman Street.)
The houses in this Court have been for years in a very unsatisfactory
state, but during the last year they have become unfit for human
habitation. The following report was made to the Public Health
Committee. Proceedings were subsequently taken before the Magistrate,
and a closing order was made with the consent of the owner.
"Report on the Condition of Steedman Court.
I have to report on the condition of the houses in the Court leading
from Steedman Street by the side of the railway.
The houses of the Court are numbered 14, 14a, 16, 16a, 18, 20 and
20a, Steedman Street. The approach to the court is 12 feet wide at the
entrance, which is restricted to 6 feet at the further end. The length of
the approach is 27 feet. The court itself is 21 by 13 feet.
The houses which are of brick and three storeys were originally four
in number, but some thirty years ago the owner divided up the interiors
and introduced more staircases making the tenements seven. There is,