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Report for 1925.—Mr. E. J. Potter continues to act as Canal Boats Inspector, he having
been appointed in November, 1909.
The Inspector reports that 96 canal boats were inspected during the year, the following infringements
of the Acts being discovered:—
Cabins leaky 2 Floor of cabin decayed 1
Unregistered boat 1 Painting of cabin required 7
Stove pipes defective 2 Lettering, marking and numbering
Without certificates 1 illegible 6
On no occasion was admission to a boat refused and no legal proceedings were necessary against
either the owner or occupier of any boat. Fourteen (14) notices were served and ten (10) letters
sent to various persons relating to registration of boats, etc.
There were six (6) cases of infectious disease notified during the year, one of Whooping Cough
(female 3) and five of Chicken-Pox (males 8 months and 15 years, and females 6, 13, and 12). One
death from heart disease occurred during the year among the boat population.
Three boats were registered, two new and one owing to change of ownership. There were no
registrations of boats propelled by steam or motor power.
One hundred and twelve (112) children were found to be living on the boats, sixty-four (64) being
of school age.
The total number of boats on the Register at the end of 1925 was two hundred and forty-one (241),
one being a motor-boat ; only about half of this total can be traced. There are several boats temporarily
dismantled by the removal of some of the fittings.
The Registration of four (4) canal boats registered by this Authority has been cancelled during
the past year owing to the boats having been broken up or registered with other Authorities.
HOUSING.
Conversions.-—Orders of the Court having been obtained by the owners of the undermentioned
houses, as provided for by Section 27 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, the said premises
were converted during the years 1924 and 1925 into the number of flats or tenements mentioned.
7, Palace Court: 5 flats or tenements.
22, Palace Court: 5 flats or tenements.
25, Palace Court: 4 flats or tenements.
The Special Housing Committee gave due consideration to the plans of work proposed to be
carried out and granted the approvals necessary for the purpose of obtaining the Orders of the
Court.
Approval was also given during 1924 to plans, etc., deposited relative to the conversion of forty- .
one (41) premises into some 134 flats, and during 1925 to plans for converting thirty-five (35) premises
into 109 flats. These deposits of plans pursuant to the Bye-laws under Section 202- of the Metropolis
Management Act, 1855, do not necessarily comprise all " conversions " as in many cases interference
with the existing drainage and sanitary arrangements does not take place.
Compulsory Repairs.—On account of the difficulties which had arisen in previous years in the
application of the provisions of the Housing Acts, no notices requiring the execution of repairs were
served under those Acts during 1924 and 1925. In a large number of instances, however, defects
which could not be dealt with under the Public Health (London) Act or bye-laws were remedied as
the result of special letters which were forwarded to the owners of the houses.
Houses Unfit for Habitation.—A Closing Order under Section 11 (1) of the Housing Act, 1925,
was made by the Council in December, 1925, with respect to premises at No. 7a, Windsor Place which
were unfit for occupation as a dwelling. The premises were vacated and converted into a workshop.
Underground Rooms.—During 1924 two Orders were made by the Council with respect to underground
rooms used as sleeping places in contravention of the Regulations made by the Council under
Section 17 (7) of the 1909 Act. The use of the rooms for sleeping purposes was given up.
In one instance in each year basement rooms were dealt with under Section 96 of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, and the illegal occupation discontinued.
Tenement Houses.—During the two years the number of houses on the Register (viz., 1,404)
remained unaltered. The inspections made by the two Special Inspectors totalled 6,041 in 1924
and 5,773 in 1925. Particulars of the defects, etc., discovered and remedied are shown in the table on
page 45.
Overcrowding.—Seventeen tenements were reported to be overcrowded in 1924, and 9 in 1925.
Owing to the impossibility of obtaining other accommodation, 3 cases in 1924 and 8 cases in 1925
were allowed to remain in abeyance.