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91
Inspection of Houses.—The systematic inspection of houses in the district
in accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Consolidated) Regulations, 1925,
was carried on during the year and 384 houses were so surveyed. These figures
are less than the average yearly number, owing to the demands referred to above,
on the time of the sanitary inspectors.

There was an appeal against a notice served by the Council under Section 17
of the Housing Act, 1930, relating to the house, No. 15, The Grove, Eltham, which
I had represented as being unfit for human habitation. It was capable of being
rendered fit at a reasonable cost, and the Council resolved to serve a notice under
Section 17. This notice was served on the 1st August, 1935, and notice of appeal
to the County Court was given on the 21st August of that year. The case was set
down for hearing at the County Court on the 20th November, 1935. There were
several hearings and adjournments, and it was not until 8th July, 1936, that the
County Court Judge gave his decision. He held that although the Borough Council
were justified in serving the notice under Section 17, the works required by the notice
to be executed were unreasonable and that the appellant was aggrieved by the action
of the Borough Council. He allowed the appeal and ordered the Borough Council
to pay two thirds of the costs of the appellant. It became necessary to agree an
amended specification of the works to be done, and it was decided to include this
amended specification in the Order. There was a further delay in this connection,
and it was not until 23rd December that the draft Order embodying this amended
specification was settled by the Registrar of the County Court and so at the end of
1936 the work of repair had not been completed.
Clearance Aears.—During the year, the Council's programme was advanced.
The steps taken, and the situation at the end of the year in each area represented
since 1934 are set out in the following pages:—