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80
This class of nuisance is somewhat difficult to deal with, owing to
the fact that there is no statutory definition of what constitutes overcrowding,
excepting that any house or part of a house must not be so
overcrowded as to be dangerous or injurious to the health of the inmates.
Cubic space should be legally laid down. Under the
" Factory and Workshop Act " and Bye-laws as to " Houses Let in
Lodgings," the cubic space is definitely fixed.
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACT.
During the year nine notices were served under this Act in respect
of the following houses, viz.
Shed on Allotments.
Jew's Corner Cottage.
i and 2, Nursery Cottages.
In the first case the occupiers of the shed were turned out; in the
second the owners made the premises habitable; but in the third
case action is still pending.
In the case of Walbrook Road, where the notices were served in
1904, closing orders were obtained on three houses in 1905, and since
then the houses have been demolished.
Two houses situated in the brickfield, Bush Hill Park, which
were occupied and in a very dilapidated condition, have been closed
without notice, due to the action of the Sanitary Department.
I am pleased to state that we have very little so-called " slum "
property in the district at the present time, with the exception of
the Eaton Place area. The Council are aware that notices under
the above Act have been served from time to time on the owners of
the property, and convictions obtained, and owing to one owner not
complying with closing orders obtained, three houses were
demolished. Two other houses were also demolished without
closing orders being applied for, due to the fact that, on my representation
to the owner of the work necessary to make the houses