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40
danger to the health of ingoing tenants. I have dealt with this
subject in a report recently presented to the Sanitary Committee.
The number of new houses inspected by me during the year was
612 dwelling houses and 19 shops.
Several houses have become more or less dilapidated during the
year and some of these have been closed. Proceedings were
instituted with a view to obtaining a closing order under section 32
of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, on houses in Eaton
Place, but before the statutory notice expired, certain repairs were
effected by the owner, that have put the proceedings in abeyance for
the time being at any rate.
Houses let in Lodgings. A revised code of bye-laws is
being prepared under this head. Up to the present no action has
been taken by the Council in the matter of registering houses of
this kind. I believe, however, that the time has arrived when the
question might, with advantage, be taken up. The system of
registration might be established to begin within those parts of the
district where overcrowding has been found most prevalent in the
past. The measures provided by the bye-laws would also be found
useful in those cases where good sized houses have fallen on evil
days and are at present sub-let to many different families. A more
complete control is necessary over property of this kind to keep the
conditions under which its occupants live up to a good sanitary
standard, and this would be obtained most effectively by registration
under the proposed bye-laws.
Water Supply. The district is supplied by the Metropolitau
Water Board. There are still a few shallow wells in domestic use,
but their numbers are being diminished each year. These wells have
been kept under observation and their water analysed from time to
time.
Sewerage and Sewage Disposal. The sewerage is constructed
on the separate system, the surface water being carried into
the Pymmes and Salmon's brooks, while the sewage proper, together