View report page

4
house to a single tenant, perhaps on weekly terms, who, in the event of sub-letting, would be accountable
to the sanitary authority for securing the observance of the by-laws. In two districts it has been
found that persons who had been recognised by the sanitary authority as "landlords," proved to
be weekly tenants in very poor circumstances who were, or professed to be, quite ignorant of the fact
that they were responsible in any way under the by-laws, and who, when convicted, declared
themselves quite unable to pay the fine inflicted by the magistrate. In districts in which by-laws are
being newly put into operation there is opportunity for misconception as to the extent of responsibility
incurred by different individuals, but difficulties of this kind apparently disappear as soon as the scope
and effect of the by-laws are appreciated. It may be stated that all the difficulties above referred to
are difficulties which have been experienced in districts where the working of by-laws was being newly
undertaken, and none of them appear to give rise to any serious trouble in districts in which by-laws
have been extensively used.
There is some difference of opinion as to whether all houses let in lodgings in a district should
be registered, or whether registration should be limited to those houses in which the conditions the
by-laws are designed to remedy are particularly frequently met with. It is impossible to require that
precisely the same methods shall be applied in all districts, for the matter really resolves itself for the
most part merely into a question as to how the office register shall be kept; it is not, therefore,
surprising to find that the practice varies in different districts. What is really essential is that certain
kinds of property should be inspected frequently and be subject to the by-laws. In some districts there
is a large proportion of this kind of property ; in others not so much of it. In the case of the former
districts the use of by-laws should necessarily be greater than in the case of the latter districts. Many
of the codes of by-laws possess an exemption clause based upon a limit of rental. This is open to the
objection that the limits assigned sometimes exclude from the operation of the by-laws tenements which
may be found to require regulation. As an instance of this, the limits assigned in the Stoke Newington
by-laws may be referred to. In these, by-laws unfurnished lodgings, the rent of which exceeds 2s. 6d.,
and furnished lodgings the rent of which exceeds 4s., are exempted, and the exemption is much too
comprehensive.
The following points are deserving of notice with reference to particular districts—
Kensington.—Regulations were confirmed by the Local Government Board in 1886, and were
largely worked with great advantage to the district. Since the passing of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891. the question of the substitution for the existing regulations of by-laws, under section 94 of
that Act, has been under consideration, and houses have not been newly registered pending the settlement
of this question. In the portion of Kensington which has been referred to as " a west-end
Avernus," there are many houses to which the by-laws are applicable, and Dr. Dudfield, the medical
officer of health of Kensington, has pointed out the need of increased inspectorial assistance for
remedy of the conditions which exist in this locality. Recent changes have, however, caused diminution
instead of increase in the amount of attention which it is found possible to devote to this part of
Kensington.
Hammersmith.—Regulations were confirmed in 1887, but no houses were found to be registered
in 1895. By-laws under the Act of 1891 were confirmed by the Local Government Board on the
28th day of April, 1896.
Fulham.—New by-laws were confirmed in 1895. They are not being enforced at present, as
the time of the inspectors is fully occupied with other work, the question of increasing the staff of
inspectors is, however, under consideration.
Paddington.—New by-laws were confirmed in 1894. No houses are as yet on the register, the
question of increasing the staff of inspectors is here also under consideration.
Chelsea.— Regulations under the Sanitary Act of 1866 were largely used in former years, and
great advantage was found to result from their operation by those who were concerned with their
working. It may be noted that considerable clearances have taken place in Chelsea of late years, and
some of the houses which formerly were registered have thus been demolished. The question of framing
by-laws under section 94 of the Act of 1891 has been under consideration, but no decision has yet
been arrived at, and the regulations have in the meantime unfortunately been allowed to fall into disuse.
It appears obvious that before by-laws under section 94 can be enforced, an increase in the number of
inspectors will be necessary. The vestry has recently decided to appoint an additional inspector.
St. George, Hanover-square.—By-laws were confirmed in 1894, and their use is being gradually
extended. There were only 73 houses however on the register in December last, and this number is
small in comparison with the number of houses in the district to which by-laws might with advantage
be applied.
Westminster.—By-laws were confirmed in 1893, and they have since been extensively employed
with entirely favourable results. About 1,000 houses are now registered.
St. James, Westminster.—By-laws were confirmed in 1895, and the number of houses on the
register is as yet small.
Marylebone.—Regulations made under the Act of 1866 were confirmed in 1890, and nearly
1,000 houses have been registered. A larger use of the regulations could be made with an increased
staff. There is no present intention of framing new by-laws.
Hampstead.— Regulations were confirmed in 1885 and large use was made of them. By-laws
under section 94 of the Act of 1891 were made in 1895, and at the present time there are about 840
houses on the register. Experience has shown that the regulations and by-laws are of great value in
the remedy of certain defects which can only with difficulty be dealt with under the general provisions
of the Public Health Act.
St. Pancras.—By-laws were confirmed in 1893, and have so far only been applied to a very small
proportion of the houses let in tenements in the parish. A considerable extension of the use of the
bv-laws in this district appears to be impossible with the existing staff.