View report page

4
or to adapt existing premises for the use of more than one family. In the previous report already
referred to it was shown that the number of existing houses for which certificates under the Act
had been granted, owing to their having undergone structural alteration with a view to their
being inhabited by more than one family, was very small. In other words, the provisions of the
Act have not had the effect of bringing about structural adaptation of houses for a different
method of usage, although it would appear that a considerable number of certificates under the
Act have been granted since 1890. These certificates, however, relate to newly erected
blocks of dwellings, to houses specially built for the purpose of housing more than one family, or
to houses which, originally built for one family, already possess such sanitary accommodation,
that a medical officer of health could not reasonably refuse to grant certificates of exemption to
the owner if he effected in the premises certain small improvements which are not of the nature
of extensive structural alterations.
In addition to the opportunity for improving the conditions existing in tenement houses
afforded by the Customs and Inland Revenue Acts, the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890,
contains provisions by which it is possible that improvement might also be effected. Thus, under
section 58 in Part iii. of this Act local authorities are empowered to purchase existing lodginghouses,
and if this were done they have power under section 59 to alter, enlarge, repair and improve
them for the use of the working classes. These sections are as follows—
Section 58.—The trustees of any lodging-houses for the working classes for the time
being provided in any district by private subscriptions or otherwise, may, with the consent
of a majority of a committee or other persons by whom they were appointed trustees,
sell or lease the lodging-houses to the local authority of the district, or make over to
them the management thereof.
Section 59.—The local authority may, on any land acquired or appropriated by
them, erect any buildings suitable for lodging-houses for the working classes, and convert
any buildings into lodging-houses for the working classes, and may alter, enlarge,
repair, and improve the same respectively, and fit up, furnish, and supply the same
respectively with all requisite furniture, fittings and conveniences.
C. W. F. Young,
Assistant Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health Department,
8, St. Martin's-place,
December, 1903.
APPENDIX.
Details as to the sanitary accommodation found to exist in houses now occupied by several tenants, which
were apparently originally built for the use of one family.
In order to obtain information as to the sanitary accommodation now existing in houses
which when erected were intended for the use of single families, but which, owing to change in
the conditions of the district, are now occupied by more than one family, a considerable number
of streets in several sanitary districts both north and south of the river have been visited, and one
or more houses in these have been inspected with a view to seeing the nature of the accommodation
existing. The streets visited are those in which it was thought likely that houses of the class
referred to exist. With few exceptions inspection was made of houses having not less than three
floors, as it is in these that the absence of sanitary accommodation on other floors than the ground
floor is most likely to give rise to inconvenience.
In the following account details are given as to the number and position of the water-closets
provided, as to the position of the water supply tap or taps, and of the sinks for the reception
of fouled water, and as to the washhouse accommodation which exists. The details as regard
houses in any street are typical of the conditions generally existing throughout the street or of
a large number of the houses in it, and the streets visited consist of houses, practically all of
which are now occupied by more than one family.
In the case of some of the houses information as to rent was obtained. This is set out in
tlhe account.
*Hollinqton-street, Cambcrwell.—This is a long street with three-storey houses on either side
There are between sixty and seventy in all. They are all of the same class, containing two rooms,
a front and back, on each floor, and in addition, on ground floor, a back addition room through
which the yard is approached. The houses are let out in tenements, each tenant paying directly
to the landlord, with but few exceptions, in which it is found that one tenant is responsible for
the rent of the whole house, but sublets rooms.
No. (a). Occupied by three tenants, one on each floor. Rents, 4s. and 4s. 6d. a week.
No. (b). Occupied by two tenants, three Toonis each. Rents, 6s. a week each.
No. (e). Occupied by two tenants, three rooms each Rents, 6s. a week each.
No. (d). One tenant takes the whole house and sublets three rooms to one other tenant.
* Hollington, Crown and Sultan streets form part of a group of streets of tenement houses in which the
Camberwell Borough Council are at present acquiring homes under Part III. of the Housing of the Working
Classes Act with a view to the improvement of the accommodation and condition of the premises.