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The number of houses has remained practically the same, and the
diminution in the number of people has lessened the number of
persons in each house. A recent house-to-house inspection of some
of the streets in the ward repealed the same conditions. A few
years ago a house-to-house inspection was made of these streets
and in several instances notices had to be served to abate overcrowding
in the houses. At the later inspection there was not a
single instance of overcrowding.
Under present conditions overcrowding is as much, if not
more, a result of the play of social and economic factors than of
scarcity of houses. Although wages are not higher (and there is
certainly more unemployement) and rents are no lower, we have the
seeming paradox of less overcrowding. Diminished overcrowding
has resulted from the introduction of other factors. The birth-rate
has for years been getting lower and lower, but until quite recently
the birth-rate continued high among the class of people whose
houses were overcrowded. Contraceptive methods were not generally
practised by artisans, unskilled labourers, &c., and their
families. Since the war, the practice of birth-spacing has spread
amongst almost all classes of the population and large families
are now rare exceptions to the general rule. The limitation of
families has undoubtedly been the chief cause in our district of the
lessened incidence of overcrowding.
Although overcrowding has lessened, for the reason mentioned
above, the demand for houses still continues and will continue,
and there is very little prospect of reduction in the rents.
HOUSING.
Number of Houses erected during the year:—
(a) Total (including number given separately
under (b) 303
(b) With State assistance under the Housing Acts :—
(i) By the Local Authority 28
(ii) By other bodies or persons Nil.
1. Inspection of Dwelling-houses during the Year 1931:—
(1) (a) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected
for housing defects (under Public Health
or Housing Acts) 1657
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose
4970