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786 Private Drains were found choked or defective, 148
being in Eltham, 202 in the River Ward, and 205 in St. Mary's
and Dockyard Wards. These were all remedied by removing
the obstruction and securing relaying of the drain when it was
found defective.
1034 Waterclosets were repaired.
10. House Inspection.—4797 houses were inspected house to
house, and 7123 specially inspected on account of infectious
disease, complaints, &c. At the present rate all those houses
requiring it will be inspected house to house within three years.
At 3082 houses, dirty interiors were cleansed or repaired, or
roofs repaired after service of notice. In 608 houses damp
walls were found and remedied, and in 250 through ventilation
was provided ; the great majority of these being in Woolwich
and Eltham parishes.
11. Overcrowding. 145 cases of overcrowding were found,
Eltham having the highest proportion, and River, St.
Margaret's, Herbert, and Burrage Wards coming next. These
were all remedied either by arrangement or notice. Two
special reports on overcrowding were presented to the Housing
Committee (see Appendices B & C). Compared with other
working class districts of London, this Borough has not a high
percentage of overcrowding, although the great majority of the
houses are overcrowded if the hygienic standard of 1000 cubic
ft. per head for sleeping rooms be taken. I have estimated
that in the homes of the working classes in the Borough there
is an average of 460 cubic feet per head in sleeping rooms.
But although overcrowding is not excessive, the want of
sufficient houses for the working classes at reasonable rents is
very marked, and very seriously interferes with sanitary
progress.
D