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69
It appears strange that no Medical Officer of Health was appointed on this
Committee, because the effect of lax building by-laws or of stringent by-laws
badly carried out, is shown more conclusively in the annual reports of the
Medical Officers of Health by their death-rates and sickness-rates than in any
other publication.
HOUSING TABLES OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT BOARD.
At the end of April I dealt with no less than four schedules from the Local
Government Board, requesting information for year ending March 31st, 1914.
To obtain the desired information involved some considerable time and work
for me and my department at a time when we were fully occupied completing
the Annual Report for 1913. I hope that the result will be commensurate with
the trouble involved. Some of the questions it was impossible to answer.
The Schedules may be briefly described as follows:—
1. Circular to Local Government Board's accompanying schedule of three
pages headed "Housing of the Working Classes Act, particulars as to inspection
of houses and housing conditions." Information is desired " with a view
to determine the precise method by which Parliament and the administrative
departments can best assist the Local Authorities." Dated 27th February,
1914, received by me 3rd March, 1914.
2. A schedule annually prepared in accordance with Section 44 of the
" Housing of the Working Classes Act 1890," to show what has been done
during the year ending March 31st, 1914, and an account of all monies received
and paid during that period, with a view to carrying into effect the purposes of
Part II. of the above Act (as amended by the Housing and Town Planning
Act 1909). A schedule of four pages and circular dated 14th April, 1914, received
by me 24th April, 1914.
3. A schedule asking for information as to the operation of Sections 14
and 15 of the Housing and Town Planning Act 1909, and the action taken by
this Authority during the year ending March 31st, 1914, under the latter section.
A schedule of two pages with circular dated 14th April, 1914, received by me
24th April, 1914.
4. A circular and draft regulations, dated 17th April, received by me
23rd April, 1914, with reference to the use of underground rooms as bedrooms.
The Council was asked to consider if regulations such as those referred to in
Section 17 (7) of the Housing and Town Planning Act 1909, are needed in
Edmonton, and asking your Medical Officer of Health to report upon the