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14
Overcrowding.
Seven complaints were received during the year that
houses were overcrowded. These were all investigated,
and in four instances overcrowding was found. Notices
were served in each of these cases, and were complied
with.
(a) The house consisted of G rooms; 3 living and
3 sleeping rooms. The number of occupants were
2 families; husband, wife and 4 children, and
mother and six children, a total of 14 persons.
(b) The house consisted of 7 rooms; 3 living and
4 sleeping rooms. Three familes occupied it; husband,
wife and 5 children; a mother and two sons;
an old man and his nephew; total of 12 persons.
(c) The house consisted of 4 rooms; 2 living and
2 sleeping. Occupiers: 2 families; husband and
wife and 2 female lodgers; husband and wife six
children; total 12 persons.
(d) The house consisted of 2 rooms, occupied
by 2 families. The exact numbers of each family
could not be ascertained, but the house was overcrowded.
(6) Premises and Occupations which can be controlled by
Bye-laws and Regulations.
Tents, Vans and Sheds.
There are a number of vans and sheds situated on
the Marshes at Abbey Wood which are permanently occupied
by persons carrying on the trade of hawkers. In
former years the numbers of these have been augmented
at various periods of the year by others, who are occupied
in fruit and hop-picking during the summer and
autumn. Numerous complaints have been received from
time to time as to the insanitary conditions under which
these people exist, and some of them have been prosecuted
for breach of the Council's Bye-laws with success.
During the past year these vans have been very frequently
inspected, and in three cases the occupiers were
prosecuted for breach of the Bye-laws, a conviction being
secured in each case. The effect of the rigorous inspection
carried out and of the prosecutions has been a
material improvement in the mode of life and the surroundings
of those people permanently located at this
place.