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30
It will be seen that there was an increase in the number
of houses inspected under the Housing Regulations, but
the number inspected is still much below that which should
be recorded. The time available for systematic house-tohouse
inspection in the Borough is small. With the present
staff it is difficult to keep the ordinary routine work in
hand, and it is not possible to carry out the important duty
of systematic inspection of district as required by the
Housing Acts. The houses inspected during the year 1927
were situated in Acre Road, and marked improvement in
the condition of the properties has resulted from the action
taken. Unless additional assistance is given, however,
or other work left, it appears to be unlikely that the inspection
of Acre Road will be completed during 1928. There
are other large areas awaiting house-to-house inspection
when opportunity presents itself.
The general condition of ashbin accommodation in the
Borough is much improved. The concentrated efforts of
the past two or three years are showing good results. It
is the exception now to find more than a few houses unprovided
with suitable receptacles, whereas a few years ago
certain roads, seen on refuse-collecting days, presented a
most appalling spectacle of miscellaneous receptacles in
various stages of decrepitness.
Although most of the old boxes and baths have been
replaced by galvanised iron receptacles, it is regrettable
that the requirement that ashbins should be placed at the
front of the houses on collecting days should still be enforced
in certain roads. Tenants appear to be afraid of losing
the lids, and consequently the ashbins are left uncovered,
much to the annoyance of pedestrians, especially after stray
dogs have spilled the contents of the receptacles over the
footpaths in search of food.
The number of statutory notices served during the year
shows a considerable decrease compared with 1926. The
reduction was chiefly in respect of notices requiring the
provision of ashbins.
Overcrowding.
In no less than 23 instances overcrowding was abated
as the result of action taken following inspection of the
rooms. This is a considerable improvement on previous
years, and one is tempted to interpret the result as a sign
that the housing shortage is steadily being overcome. In
10 of the cases the occupiers of the overcrowded rooms were
allotted houses on the Corporation Housing Estate.