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I have now brought before you instances of overcrowding,
where in 44 rooms there were found 228 persons, the required
cubic capacity for whom would be 64,600, instead of which
the dimensions gave 39,932; showing a deficiency of 24,668
cubic feet of air: in no instance have any steps been taken to
diminish this gigantic evil. As the subject is one of such
magnitude, I must request you will come to some decision as
to what should bo done in these cases, and whether it is your
desire these examinations should be continued. The houses in
Saint Anne's Place have been inspected to ascertain the cause
of an existing illness to which my attention has been particularly
directed by Mr. Hunt, the Medical Officer for Saint
John's, and I have no question that the overcrowding is quite
sufficient to account for the present prevalence of disease. The
premises are generally tolerably clean, and the drainage and
paving have been previously remedied, partly by the owner
and partly by the parish at considerable expense.
The subject of Underground Dwellings also continues to
engage my attention; and I have to report the following
instances where the requirements of the Act of Parliament
are not complied with:—
Arthur Street, 16 houses examined—Nos. 4, 11, 13, 14 and
15, defective.
Montpelier Row, 18 houses examined—Nos. 6, 15 and 25,
defective.
Parker Street—Nos. 4, 6, 17, 19, 21 and 22, defective.
Market Street—Nos. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20 and
23, ditto.
Vine Street—Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 36, 37, 44,
49, 52 and 53, ditto.
New Tothill Street—No. 4, ditto.
In addition to the above, 105 houses have been examined in
St. Margaret's, and 69 in St. John's, the various requirements
of which will be found in the Sanitary Inspector's Reports. In
many instances the drainage was out of order, and in others it
became necessary to have the premises thoroughly cleansed
and whitewashed, while in one it became necessary to apply to
the Magistrate, who issued a prohibitory order until the premises
were sufficiently and satisfactorily repaired.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your faithful Servant,
5, Parliament Street, BARNARD HOLT.
June 1859.