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37
Number of representations made to the Local Authority
with a view to the making of Closing
Orders 10
Number of Closing Orders made 10
Number of dwelling-houses where defects were remedied
without service of Closing Orders 578
Number of houses which, after making of Closing
Orders, were put in a fit state 0
With regard to the ten houses for which Closing Orders were
made, the owner is arranging to carry out the whole of the works
necessary to put them in proper repair. The same can also be
said of ten other cottages in regard to which like proceedings were
proposed.
In addition to all this work which has been done under these
Regulations, the following number of houses have also been inspected
during the year:—
On account of infectious disease 422
On account of complaint by occupants and otherwise
830
Total 1,252
making a gross total of house inspections for the year of 1,979,
which gives a percentage of 17.6 of the total number of houses in
the district. There will be found in the statement or report of the
Inspector of Nuisances required to be included by Article 20 (16) of
the General Order of the Local Government Board, minute details
of the defects found on inspection of the dwellings, all of which
have been remedied during the year.
Plans of new houses and alterations to buildings have to be
submitted for the approval of the District Council. The erection
of dwellings and other buildings is closely supervised by the
Council's Engineer and Building Inspectors. The Bye-laws require
that no house is to be occupied until the drainage has been completed,
and each dwelling certified as in every respect fit for human
habitation. This requirement is very strictly observed, and a close
watch is also kept to prevent alterations which might be surreptitiously
made.
There are no back-to-back houses in the District, the airspace
about dwellings is generally sufficient, and although we find
considerable difficulty in preventing the erection of sheds, fowlpens,
rabbit-hutches, etc., in back yards and gardens, the figures
I have already given are, I think, a sufficient proof that constant
and adequate supervision is being exercised by the members of
your Health Department.