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decay was, commencing. This work is more often the result of
convincing owners of the economic advantage to be gained by the
preservation of the structure than by the service of formal notice.
Where owners are not financially able to carry out forthwith
the required repairs it has been found necessary either to allow
ample time for completion, or alternatively where the work is
urgent, for the Council to do the work in default, the owner making
repayment by instalments in accordance with the Housing Acts.
In one instance the two-storied back addition of a house was so
rebuilt by the Council, the owner paying for such by instalments.
With the exception of twelve houses, which have been included
in clearance schemes, every house in the district is provided with
water supply inside the premises. In only two instances is closet
accommodation shared, and here again the houses concerned are
the subject of representation as unfit dwellings.
Owing to the architectural arrangement it has been found
impracticable to provide suitable food storage accommodation to
many houses already erected. For this reason some owners have
not been called upon to provide such accommodation.
(d) Unhealthy Areas.—With a view to action under the Housing
Act, 1930, a five-year programme of slum clearance has been prepared.
In the schedule are included many of the old properties
which require constant supervision because of their decayed and
worn out condition. It may also be said that the accommodation
existing in these properties is inadequate for family life.
It is proposed to demolish 297 houses in clearance areas and
43 individual unfit houses outside clearance areas.
Representations in respect of such areas were pending at the
end of the year.