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It is apparent from this statement that the greater part of the overcrowding in the Reidhavenroad
district and an altogether undue proportion of the more extreme instances of dirt and dilapidation
are found in association with the property of a small number of owners. Thus in the nine particular
groups, composed of 66 houses in all, occur every one of the instances of houses noted as having walls
infested with vermin, and in addition to this 20 out of the total number of 28 houses noted as
exceptionally dirty, and 27 out of the 42 houses noted as dilapidated.
In striking contrast to these houses there are a number of others on the area which are clean,
maintained in good repair, and for the most part free from overcrowding. I find that the 202 houses
visited were in some 50 or 60 different ownerships in all. In a few instances an occupier was found
to be the actual owner of his house, or he was in course of acquiring the ownership; again, groups of
two, three or four houses owned by different individuals not resident upon the premises were found to
be of common occurrence, while in a few cases my notes furnish particulars concerning five, six or more
(in one instance as many as 14) houses in one ownership. Judging by the results of inspection, the
total number of houses, concerning which particulars have been ascertained, may be roughly classed
from the point of view of ownership into three groups.
Class A—A group which includes the houses in about half the total number of ownerships, the
premises in question being in fairly clean condition and free from overcrowding.
Class B—A group comprising about one-third of the total number of ownerships. The houses
are in less satisfactory condition than those of the above group, and in a few instances are in not very
much better condition than those in class C.
Class C—A group, belonging to some nine owners, including houses, the majority of which are
in an extremely neglected and insanitary condition.

The extent to which neglect to execute the necessary cleansing and repair is carried in the case
of the houses in class (C) referred to above may be judged by reference to a number of particular
instances in the following roads—
Reidhaven-road—A very dirty and overcrowded house. The overcrowded first floor front room
presents abundant evidence of the existence of vermin; it is stated that it was not done up three years
ago when the present occupants came in, nothing has been done to it since.
Reidhaven-road—A dirty and overcrowded house. The first floor rooms were not it is said done up
when the present occupants came in last February. The ground floor rooms were done up by the tenant
last June twelvemonths. The back room in particular is now very much in need of cleansing.
Reidhaven-road—A very dirty and neglected house. The ground floor back room was done up
four years ago; it is now very dirty; the first floor back room is said not to have been done for 8 years,
save that the tenant "blued it out some time ago to keep down the vermin.
Mabyn-road—It is said to be nearly seven years since the ground floor back room was done up.
This is a much neglected house.
Mabyn-road—The upstairs rooms were done up four years ago, not since. They are very dirty and
the walls are stained with turpentine which the tenants use to keep down the vermin.
Glenside-road—A very dirty house. The ground floor front room is overcrowded, being used as a
living and sleeping room by a man, wife and two children. This room is said not to have been done up
for four years.
Barth-road—A dirty and overcrowded house presenting numerous defects. It is said to be over
three years since the first floor rooms were done up. They badly need it now.
White Hart-lane—Walls of the overcrowded first floor back room show evidence of vermin, the rooms
here have been done up once only it is stated in the last seven years.
Hartville-road—This house is exceptionally dirty and dilapidated, there are abundant
evidences of the existence of vermin, particularly in the ground floor front room. It is stated that
this room has had nothing done to it for six years.
These instances clearly show that there has been, in this district, failure to insist upon a
reasonable standard of dwelling accommodation.
Dr. Davies, in his special report on the district, has analysed the mortality returns for 1894,1895
and 1896, and concludes that "the general death rate in this district (19 9) is more than 35 per cent.
higher than in Plumstead as a whole (14.6), and the infantile death rate is more than 50 per cent.