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Mr. Alderman J.Lea.Smith. the Council.s representative on the Metropolitan
Water Board. continued to take a great interest in these cases during the year.
and when the premises affected were tenement houses always endeavoured to
secure that the tenants should suffer no hardship as a result of the supply of
water being cut off.
Housing.
On account of the coming into operation of the Housing. Town Planning etc.
Act. 1909. at its commencement. 1910. so far as housing is concerned. was one
of considerable importance. To the Public Health Committee the responsibility
of exercising the powers and duties of the Council in regard to the greater part
of the Act was entrusted. and during the year as a result. a great deal of work
was commenced and carried out. The importance of undertaking a complete and
systematic house.to.house inspection was thoroughly grasped. and it was
determined that one of the inspectors should be entrusted with this work
and to ensure that any defective conditions discovered by him should be at once
taken in hand. the number of district inspectors was increased to five. each being
placed in charge of a district. These districts are visited in turns by the house.
to.house inspector. streets urgently in need of attention being given to him for
inspection. Defects found by him are immediately reported to the inspector of
the district. who at once visits and arranges for the taking of steps for the
removal or remedy of the defective conditions. At the end of the year great
improvements had been made in connection with housing as a result of this work.
the greater part of the action being taken under the Public Health Act or the
byelaws. As usual. much improvement was obtained as a result of pressure
brought to bear upon owners of property. many of whom agreed either to carry
out considerable alterations or to voluntarily close premises found to be unsuitable.
The district inspectors in addition to following up the house.to.house inspector.
regularly inspected their own districts and took action with regard to any
defective conditions they themselves found.
The number of premises reported to the Public Health Committee for
closure as unfit for human habitation under Section 17 of the Housing. Town
Planning. etc.. Act. 1909. was 17. In 13 cases closing orders were made.
In the majority of these cases a visit of inspection was paid by a number
of the members of the Public Health Committee. who were in a position to
supplement the report submitted by the Medical Officer of Health. and to greatly
assist the full Committee when the question of whether or not a closing order
was to be made was discussed.
Full particulars with regard to the premises reported and represented are
given in the accompanying table:-