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31
Registrar-General's estimated population for the years:—
1915
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
50,545
51,100
51,290
51,540
51,840
51,960
Overcrowding.
During the year 1925, 26 special cases of overcrowding were
brought to the notice of the Public Health Committee, but this
figure does not, of course, cover to any extent all the overcrowding
which exists in the District.
During the course of house inspection, it is found that the
condition of some of the houses is such that remedial increase of
accommodation is very pressing—not only is the air space and
ventilation insufficient, but occasionally the proper separation of
the sexes in bedrooms cannot be maintained. In most, if not in
all cases, there is not sufficient bathing provision to keep the household
reasonably clean. Whilst we are trying to raise, and are
raising, the standard of cleanliness in the Schools, many of the
mothers must be hard-pressed to keep up with the requirements of
the children. One cannot expect people to be clean in person and
clothing unless there is a bath in every house, and this should be a
sine qua non in any scheme of building that is adopted.
Houses which were built for, and originally occupied by, one
family are now tenanted by two or even three; and this practice
of taking a larger house than is required—or than the occupier can
afford—and then to let off two or more rooms, often causes overcrowding.
The price asked for these rooms is frequently exorbitant
and more than pays for the total rental and rates of the house, and,
unfortunately, this system is looked upon by some as a means of
livelihood. The causes of overcrowding are complex, and people