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51
OVERCROWDING.
During the year eighteen cases of overcrowding
were found to exist.
The problem to solve is can a house of sufficient
capacity be provided for a man, his wife, and say a
family of five or six children, at a cost not to exceed
5s. per week ? Because a labouring man cannot do
justice to himself, wife and family out of his wages, if
the rent exceeds this amount.
Still I find many who cause overcrowding are old
offenders, and who are continually on the move. The
deserving poor who maintain cleanliness, should, I
think be afforded consideration, but the persons who
continually overcrowd, and are of filthy habits should
be dealt with.
Overcrowding would not be so serious a matter if
the persons overcrowding were to observe strict cleanliness,
and pay a little attention to ventilation by
opening windows, to enable fresh air to thoroughly
flush the rooms. This in many instances seems to be
entirely forgotten.
The power of entry into private houses is more
restricted than in the case of Common Lodging
Houses, houses let in lodgings, workshops, &c.
PAYING OF YARD, &c.
During the winter months the work of laying
concrete paving is practically at a standstill, owing to