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turn-over of tenancies, " the come and go " becomes proportionately
greater, there is thus provided a better likelihood of vacancies occurring
for those who are living in those houses which are ripe for demolition.
Ross Street.—The 27 small cottage dwellings in this street, including
those belonging to the City Council, were under review during the year.
As the time was not propitious for the development of a clearance scheme,
steps were taken to ensure such repairs being carried out in all the houses
as would make them reasonably habitable for a further period.
Douglas Place, etc.—A request was made in April by four local
government electors of the City that an official representation under the
Housing Act, 1930, be made by the Medical Officer of Health to the
City Council in respect of 3, Arneway Street, 39, Chadwick Street,
Douglas Place and Richards Cottages. The Medical Officer of Health
accordingly inspected the houses referred to and reported to the Council
with regard to 3, Arneway Street and 39, Chadwick Street that in his
opinion the two houses were not unfit for habitation.
With regard to Douglas Place and Richards Cottages, the Medical
Officer of Health reported as follows :—
" This area was included in the schedule of insanitary areas reported
to the Committee in the special reports of May and October, 1930.
A further report on the area was submitted in March of this year, recommending
that it should be dealt with as a clearance area so soon as
rehousing operations could render this course practicable.
Conditions during the past two months have not materially altered
as regards the area as a whole, but it should be noted that repairs have
been carried out to the main walls of certain of the houses following
notices by the District Surveyor. A defective drain in No. 1, Douglas
Place has also been relaid as a result of an intimation notice served by
the Public Health Department. The internal conditions, bad arrangement
of the houses, restricted accommodation and lack of amenities
remain as before."
The matter was referred by the Council to the Housing Committee.
The area itself was considered to be too small and otherwise unsuitable
for a rehousing scheme, but it was decided to rehouse the occupants of
the area as and when suitable accommodation became available. The
Council has since rehoused one of the families in Douglas Place.
Horse Shoe Alley.—The officers of the department were closely
watching the small working-class houses in Horse Shoe Alley and also
those adjoining at each end of Horse Shoe Alley in Petty France and