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therein is in such a state so dangerous or injurious to health as
to be unfit for human habitation, and that for that purpose it
shall be the duty of the local authority, and of every officer of
the local authority, to comply with such regulations and to keep
such records as may be prescribed by the Local Government
Board.
The Housing (Inspection of District) Regulations were issued
in September, 1910, and a copy was sent to each member of the
Council,
Under Article I of the regulations, the local authority shall
as early as practicable, take into consideration the provision of
Section 17 of the Act of 1909, and shall determine the proceedings
to be adopted under the regulations to give effect to the
requirements of that sub-section in regard to the inspection of
their district from time to time,
Prior to the issue of these Regulations the question of the
enhanced death rate in the South-West Ward had been before
the Council on various occasions. The chief features in the high
mortality have been discussed in successive Aunual Reports.
Until the latter part of 1909 circumstances have militated
against any systematic inspection of the Ward. In 1908 Mr.
Thomas was appointed as Temporary Inspector to carry out
house-to-house inspection of the Ward. Directly Mr. Thomas
was appointed, Mr. Eearns was incapacitated by ill-health from
carrying out his duties and Mr. Thomas was appointed to the
post held by Mr. Fearns. In the autumn of 1909, owing to a
re-arrangement in the staff of the Surveyor's department, Mr.
Brooks was appointed to carry out house-to-house inspection.
The two district inspectors also systematically inspect when
their other work permits. The number of houses inspected each
month is laid before the Health Committee, together with the
principal defects found.
Under Article 3 of the Regulations, the Local Authority
shall cause to be prepared from time to time by the Medical
Officer of Health, or by an officer designated by them but