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14
HUTCHISION STREET AREA IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
The above-mentioned improvement scheme was the subject of an enquiry
at the Guildhall by the Ministry of Health in March, 1920. The scheme received
the approval of the Ministry on the 10th August last, and negotiations are now in
progress between the Corporation and the several owners with a view to the former
acquiring possession of the properties within the area covered by the scheme.
The scheme makes it obligatory on the Corporation to provide on a site or
sites and in accordance with plans to be approved by the Ministry, dwellings suitable
for the accommodation of 885 persons of the working classes, of which persons
250 shall be provided with accommodation within the area of the scheme. The
details relating to this scheme are now regularly receiving the attention of the
Sanitary Committee.
HOUSING STATISTICS.
Number of new houses erected during the year:—
(a) Total Nil.
(b) As part of a municipal housing scheme Nil.
1. Unfit Dwelling Houses.
Inspection—(1) Total number of dwelling houses inspected for housing defects
(under Public Health or Housing Acts) 771
(2) Number of dwelling houses which were inspected and recorded under the Housing
(Inspection of District) Regulations, 1910 163
(3) Number of dwelling houses found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to
health as to be unfit for human habitation Nil.
(4) Number of dwelling houses (exclusive of those referred to under the preceding
heading) found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation Nil.
2. Remedy of Defects without Service of formal Notices.
Number of defective dwelling houses rendered fit in consequence of informal action by
the Local Authority or their Officers 150
3. Action under Statutory Powers.
A.—Proceedings under Section 28 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919.
(1) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which notices were served requiring
repairs Nil.
(2) Number of dwelling houses which were rendered fit:—
(a) by owners Nil.
(b) by Local Authorities in default of owners Nil.
(3) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which Closing Orders became operative
in pursuance of declarations by owners of intention to Nil.
B.—Proceedings under Public Health Acts.
(1) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which notices were served requiring
defects to be remedied 294
(2) Number of dwelling houses in which defects were remedied:—
(a) by owners 282
(b) by Local Authorities in default of owners Nil.
C.—Proceedings under Sections 17 and 18 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act,
1909.
(1) Number of representations made with a view to the making of Closing Orders Nil.
(2) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which Closing Orders were made Nil.
(3) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which Closing Orders were determined,
the dwelling houses having been rendered fit Nil.
(4) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which Demolition Orders were made Nil.
(5) Number of dwelling houses demolished in pursuance of Demolition Orders Nil.
The majority of the houses occupied by people of the working classes have been inspected and
recorded.
VERMINOUS CONDITION OF CHILDREN.
During the course of investigation into housing conditions in a block of premises
at the western end of the City, the Inspector found three young children in an
exceedingly neglected and filthy condition.
The circumstances were reported to the National Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children who were successful in securing the removal of all the children
to the Infirmary, and who subsequently prosecuted the parents for cruelty and
neglect.