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13
Insanitary Dwellings.—
I had occasion to inspect unhealthy houses on several occasions.
On January 25th, I reported on the state of a cottage at North
Cray which I had inspected on the previous day, and which I found
in a state unfit for habitation.
In February my attention was called to a group of houses at
Farnborough. and I reported to your Council the condition I found
them in, recommending substantial alterations.
In July I inspected a small house in Foot's Cray, occupied by a
man, wife and grand-daughter, and which was totally unfit for
habitation.
A further inspection of unhealthy houses was made in August
at Chelsfield, and I laid the details of my inspection before your
Council in a report dated August 31st.
I also reported on insanitary houses at West Wickham and
Farnborough at the end of the year, and in all there cases repairs
and alterations were carried out as seen in your Inspector's Reports.
Recommendations.
The number of houses, particularly in the sewered portions of
the District, with deficient and defective drainage renders the amount
of detailed inspection very heavy. This is materially increased by
the fact that in rows of houses the testing and reconstruction of the
drains can only be done in sections, as some portion must be left
available for the use of the occupiers, consequently several visits are
required in such cases. It is quiet impossible for the already overworked
Inspector to cope with the work and carry out much more
which is needed.
I beg, therefore, to suggest that an assistant be appointed to
work under Mr. Powell's supervision, and that such assistant,
among other duties, be especially delegated to carry out the
fumigation of the houses where infectious disease has occurred, and
also the disinfection of bedding and infected clothes by means of a
steam disinfector, should you see fit to provide this much needed
adjunct.
I have already brought to your notice in reports made during the
latter part of the year, the necessity for the further adoption of
Building Bye-laws, notably in the parishes of Farnborough and
Chelsfield.