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"they were found to be overcrowded, but only when the owner was negligent as to their sanitary
state. In fact, registration has been held in terrorem over negligent property-owners. The
"overcrowding. ding, when met with, has been usually dealt with by formal notice, although latterly
"it has not been so urgent as formerly, owing to the fact that property-owners, in Islington,
"at all events, will not let their tenements to persons who have several, and in some cases, any,
"children. This was the great cause of the small increase in population between 1891 and 1900."
Stoke Newington.—By the end of the year 219 houses were on the register.
Holborn.—The number of houses on the register was 596. All were inspected from time
to time and the regulations enforced.
Finsbury.—When the borough was formed the number of houses on the register was 333.
New by-laws were framed and confirmed by the Local Government Board in November, 1901.
During the first three months of 1902, 92 houses were registered. "There can be little doubt
that the sanitation of the borough will be greatly advanced by placing upon the register under
these by-laws a large number of tenement houses."
City of London.—The number of houses on the register was 403; they comprised 1,283
tenements, and contained 3,056 lodgers. "The houses in question are frequently inspected, and
in April of each year their owners called upon to undertake a thorough cleansing of them." The
number of notices served was 673.
Shoreditch.—The number of houses registered in the year was 28, making a total of 184
on the register.
Bethnal-green.—Dr. Bate states that the Borough Council had appointed a special inspector,
and set him to work to inspect a number of houses let out in tenements with a view of registering
them. Referring to the decision in the case of Weatheritt v. Cantley, he writes, "Almost at
once our right to demand the particulars necessary for registration was challenged. The legal
point was referred to the Town Clerk; his report was carefully considered by the Public Health
Committee, and it was decided that it would be futile to attempt to enforce registration in the
present state of the law as to the definition of a house." He adds, "There are not more than
20 houses (within the meaning of the judge's definition of a house) let out in lodgings, in the
borough, to which the regulations could be made to apply, and these particular premises: are
not by any means the worst of their kind." It was felt that the special inspector's appointment
was, at any rate for the present, superfluous.
Stepney.—There are two inspectors appointed to register and enforce the by-laws for houses
let iu lodgings.
Poplar.—In October an inspector was appointed for 12 months to measure up the rooms
of houses on the register and to enter such measurements in the new register. The number of
bouses placed on the register was 120. In 20 overcrowding was abated.
Southwark.—For the supervision of houses let in lodgings the borough was divided into
three districts. Three women inspectors were appointed, inter alia, for obtaining information
for registration and inspection of houses let iu lodgings. At the beginning of the year there were
702 houses on the register, and 170 additional houses were registered during 1901.
Bermondsey.—The number of houses on the register was 289, to which must be added
Wolseley and Javen's buildings. They have been systematically inspected. More houses would
have been registered but the sanction of the Local Government Board to new by-laws was awaited.
This was received in December, 1901.
Lambeth.—At the end of 1901 there were 371 registered houses, containing 2,117 rooms
and 3,644 persons, of whom 2,294 were over 10 years of age. Dr. Priestley refers to difficulty
arising from the definition of the term "landlord," who, not being the owner, often has no
money to expend on annual cleansing.
Battersea.—The number of houses on the register is 49. These are regularly inspected,
and the by-laws strictly enforced. Dr. McCleary writes: "Some time has elapsed since the
last houses were registered, but the health' committee have lately decided to place upon the
register such houses as appear to stand in need of a proper administration of the by-laws. This
decision will, I am convinced, prove of much benefit to the borough. There is a very large
number of houses in Battersea which come within the definition of 'houses let in lodgings,' but
in the case of many, perhaps most, of them, nothing would be gained, for obvious reasons, by
placing them on the register. But there are many houses, particularly in the north-western
sub-district, where a judicious administration of the by-laws would be productive of much good
in promoting cleanliness and preventing overcrowding."
Wandsworth.—The number of houses on the register at the end of the year was 67. They
are frequently inspected, and the statutory cleansing has in every case been carried out at the
proper time. As necessity arises, other premises will be placed on the register.
Camberwell.—Dr. Stevens reports that the Local Government Board has assented to the
responsibility for the annual cleansing, etc., being imposed "on the superior landlord instead of
the man who holds the house on a weekly tenancy." He states, "The change is most beneficial,
and coupled with the raising of the rent limit, should do much to render these by-laws more
workable, and to bring a larger number of houses under their scope."
Deptford.—The medical officer of health states that "houses let in lodgings or occupied
by members of more than one family, under the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act,
1891, have received constant supervision, thereby avoiding overcrowding, and ensuring cleanliness
and proper ventilation."
Lewisham.—The annual report contains a list of 24 houses registered, to which periodical
visits have been made.
Woolwich.—At the beginning of the year there were 88 houses on the register. Dr.
Davies recommended the registration of 49 additional houses, of which 17 were registered.
He st ates, "These houses were regularly inspected every three or six months, according to the