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As I have already said in previous reports, overcrowding
is probably the greatest factor in the propagation of all
infectious diseases.
If the Housing conditions were ideal it is probable that all
our infectious diseases would be very materially lessened and
chronic infections such as Tuberculosis disappear.
Better housing is the first step towards a healthier nation
and a reduction of the expenditure of such vast sums of
money in the prevention and treatment of disease.
Statistics.—Year ended 31st December, 1925.
1.—General.
(1) Estimated population 134,500
(2) General death-rate 11.9
(3) Death-rate from tuberculosis 0.9
(4) Infantile mortality 65
(5) Number of dwelling-houses of all classes
mated) 18,613
(6) Number of working-class dwelling-houses
(estimated) 12,000
(7) Number of new working-class houses erected 50
2.—Unfit Dwelling-houses.
II.—Inspection.
(1) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected
for Housing defects (under Public Health
or Housing Acts) 5,891
(2) Number of dwelling-houses which were
inspected and recorded under the Housing
(Inspection of District) Regulations,
1910, or the Housing Consolidated Regulations,
1925 265
(3) Number of dwelling-houses found to be
in a state so dangerous or injurious to
health as to be unfit for human habitation
3
(4) Number of dwelling-houses (exclusive of
those referred to under the preceding
sub-heading) found not to be in all
respects reasonably fit for human habitation
3,749
II.—Remedy of defects without service of formal notices.
Number of defective dwelling-houses rendered
fit in consequence of informal action by the
Local Authority or their officers Nil