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that in this Borough there are no "slums" as the word is
known and used to describe the narrow courts and alleys
which exist in some of the industrial areas throughout the
country. At the same time, there is a very considerable
amount of property in the district which is far below par,
and which will eventually be past redemption unless action
on the lines I have suggested is taken. The women in these
houses, who might otherwise be good housewives, frequently
lose pride in their homes and become slovenly and careless;
only those who are in touch with these matters know how
difficult it is to raise the standard of cleanliness when once
it has dropped.
ASH RECEPTACLES AND COLLECTION.
The practice of periodically reviewing the ashbin accommodation
throughout the Borough was continued during the
past year and 134 new ashbins were provided as the result
of action taken.
A decided improvement has been effected by the partial
adoption of the recommendation I have made from time to
time, namely, that it should not be a requirement for certain
householders to place their ashbins on the footpaths in
readiness for the collectors. Your Council has rescinded
this requirement in Shortlands Road, and a similar change
is under consideration for other parts of the town, together
with questions of improved transport.
OVERCROWDING.
There were fifteen cases of overcrowding known to exist
in the Borough at the end of 1928, but undoubtedly there
were others which had escaped notice. This number is much
lower than in previous years, and there can be no doubt
that the new houses erected by your Corporation have
relieved the serious condition which existed a few years
ago. In my view much could be done to prevent overcrowding,
if it was a necessary precedent to subletting of rooms
that the permission of the Local Authority should be
obtained. Many houses, which were not designed to accommodate
more than one family, have been sublet, and no
attempt has been made to make necessary alterations or
to provide additional sanitary accommodation or domestic
facilities. This subletting may not be serious where no
overcrowding is caused, but occasionally it is found that
tenants have sublet the upper rooms and kept the kitchen