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42
reasons, the property is below the usual standard of fitness.
These areas are four in number as follows:—
1. Area bounded by part of Hawks Road,
Cambridge Road, Hampden Road, Bonnerhill Road,
Franklin Road, Washington Road and Excelsior Road.
2. The Mill Street and Mill Place area.
3. Hudson Road, Elm Crescent and Cowleaze
Road.
4. Area bounded by part of Richmond Road, the
Railway and Kingston Gas Works.
Only a few houses have been subjected to systematic
house-to-house inspection, but a large number of premises
were inspected under the Public Health Acts during the
year. The character of the defects found to exist may be
judged by a perusal of pages 34, 35 & 36, where details are
given of the works carried out during 1925. Generally
speaking, there was a large increase in the amount of
sanitary works executed as the result of action by the
Department.
Before taking action in respect of property, the tenant
is usually asked if the owner has been acquainted with the
conditions. This avoids unnecessary friction, as in the event
of a negative reply, the tenant is referred to the owner
direct before further action is taken.
The drainage systems of old houses in the Borough are
seldom found to be in good order, and no less than 53
houses were entirely redrained during 1925.
A house-to-house inspection of ashbin accommodation
was continued during the year, with good result. Where
ashbins were found "to be defective, the owner was requested
to provide a new receptacle, and the Council adopted the
following as a minimum requirement: The ashbin to be of
galvanised iron, not less than 16 inches by 20 inches in
size, and of a quality known as 22 B.W.G. before galvanising.
The insertion of this specification in the communication
to owners resulted in less complaints of damaged
bins being received, and the old unwieldy type of bin is
seldom seen. The abolition of ashpits also was continued
during the year. Owners have discovered that it is cheaper
to demolish the remains of such receptacles and to provide