View report page

Accommodation.
All premises in the district are supplied with water furnished by the
Metropolitan Water Board.
Closet accommodation in the district is, on the whole, satisfactory.
Defects, of course, are frequent, but these do not influence the accomodation.
The forms met with are of the hopper type, either long or short. The
latter, with the straight back, is the more sanitary, and is the type preferred
when replacement is necessary.
The collection of houshold refuse is undertaken by the Council direct,
electric vehicles calling weekly; judging by the paucity of complaints, the
work is done thoroughly.
In some of the poorer quarters, proper regard to the disposal of ashes,
etc., is not paid by the tenants. It is not uncommon to find the gardens at
the rear of these houses littered with ashes, vegetable refuse, old tins, etc.—a
most uncongenial playing-place for children.
This is entirely a matter for the tenants, who, unfortunately, fail to
realise their responsibility.
No complaints have been received or representations made as to the
existence of nnhealthy areas. There are a few blocks of buildings which, as
stated previously, owing to structural defects, cannot be made wholly sanitary,
but there is no area which could be termed unhealthy.
The Council possess bye-laws relating to houses-let-in-lodgings, but, as
they refer only to lodgings let under the sum of 8s. Od. weekly, they are
practically useless—it is very difficult to get accommodation to-day at so small
a figure.
The bye-laws with respect to common lodging-houses adequately meet
the needs of the district—there is one such house, for males only, and is
referred to previously.
The bye-laws dealing with new houses date from 1904, and though
relaxation of these might allow houses to be erected more cheaply, it is very
doubtful whether such would be a wise measure. Posterity will find plenty to
do without having to look after property put up to-day the chief merit of
which is cheapness.
33