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40
UNDERGROUND SLEEPING ROOMS.
There are no underground sleeping rooms in the district
which appear to require control by regulation.
HOUSING.
General Housing Conditions.
All the houses in the district are of working and middle class
character.
Extent of Shortage.
The extent of shortage cannot be measured, as if all the
available land were built on there would still be a demand for
houses.
Measures Taken or Contemplated to Meet Shortage.
Houses erected under housing schemes Nil.
Erected by private builders 80
Overcrowding.
79 cases of overcrowding are on record, of which 22 have been
remedied.
One of the chief causes is the lack of houses at a low rental.
Few landlords care to let their houses when they become vacant,
preferring rather to take a large profit by sale. There are
many empty houses in the district but not to let, and many
remain empty for very long periods. Other causes are the
natural growth of the families and the marriage of son or
daughter, who take up their abode as a matter of course in the
home of their parents.
There appears to be a deep-rooted reluctance on the part of
young girls to enter domestic service where "living in" accommodation
is provided.
In one or two instances the worship of the parlour is carried
to the extent of overcrowding a bedroom rather than use it as a
sleeping room.
Unemployment also is a serious cause of overcrowding, in
fact high rents and low funds largely sums up the situation.
More houses are needed, be they brick, concrete, steel or other
material, and the rents must be low. It would be heaven to most
of those living in sub-let rooms to be able to rent a small flat or
house of 3 or 4 rooms and a scullery.
No statutory action has been taken, persuasion has been
useful in a few cases, but altogether little can be done in the
matter.