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86
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACT.
During the year there were under observation nineteen houses to be
dealt with under this Act.
In the case of ten houses in Silver Street, the owner at once stepped
in and made them fit, but being old houses, a few years hence will see them
in a similar condition.
Four houses in Silver Street were voluntarily closed.
The three houses in Eaton Place (Nos. 9, 10 and 11) would liave been
dealt with but for the fact that the lessee dropped out and the superior landlord
cannot be found. The three houses adjoining (Nos. 6, 7 and 8), which
belong to the same owner, will soon be in a similar condition. The tenants
pay the rates and do little repairs, but are not called upon to pay rent.
However, the premises are being kept under regular observation, and on the
first opportunity they will be dealt with.
One house in Montague Road is now being made fit for human habitation,
this had long remained empty.
Nos. 1 and 2 Rose Cottages, Bury Street, closed last year, have now been
demolished.
OFFENSIVE TRADES.
There are no offensive trades as laid down by the Public Health Act.
But the business of pig-keeping seems to be on the increase, and especially
is this so at the north end of the district, on the allotment land. Notices
have been served to abate nuisances, and some of them have been abated, but
in two instances, at least, something will have to be done, or it will be
necessary to take proceedings.
DUST COLLECTION.
The collection of house refuse is still carried out by contract, and the
refuse deposited at the Council's Sewage Farm.
The refuse during the year has been utilised for raising the farm
lands, etc. The number of van loads deposited at the farm was 3,560, and
the weight, 6,442 tons 9 cwt. 3 qrs. Some of the spreading of the dust is
still carried out by a man, who has the privilege of collecting and disposing of
the bones, rags, glass, etc., in return for his labour. The condition is, that
that the materials collected on the shoot shall be taken directly out of the
district to a place where they are to be dealt with.
The quantity of waste iron and tin-ware, 112 tons 12 cwt. 3 qrs., collected
with the dust, is sorted out and removed by a Company, at their own
expense, and for which the Council received £22 14s. 2d. This product is