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24. Overcrowding. 97 cases of overcrowding were found
and remedied (compared with 86, 85, and 72, in the three
preceding years), or 1.8 per cent. of house-to-house inspections.
Most of the cases of overcrowding are found in house-to-house
inspection.
25. Smoke Nuisance. 31 observations of smoke nuisance
were made, and 13 nuisances of black smoke observed. The
nuisances were abated on service of notices. There was no
prosecution.
In 1901 eight firms were prosecuted for smoke nuisance, in
1902 five firms, and in 1903 and 1908 one firm each. There
were convictions against all the firms but one, and fines varying
from £1 to £10 were imposed. The proceedings were
taken under Section 24 (a) "a furnace which does not, as far
practicable, consume the smoke." The nuisance has been
decidedly less since the prosecutions. The works are all still
actively engaged in the Borough, and there has been no
complaint that the measures taken to prevent smoke have in
any way hampered the business.
26. Defective Light. At 18 houses new windows were
supplied or existing ones enlarged, or other work done to
improve the lighting by daylight.
26a. In January, I reported as follows:—
"Dark Rooms in Houses and Failure of the Building Act.
I have had occasion in past years to call attention to the
erection of new houses in which rooms used for living-rooms
were so dark as to be injurious to health. A notable instance
was Scotch Flats where, owing to the peculiar plan of the
building and precautions required by the Building Act to