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cases, increase, and in all cases the ages of the children make
it more difficult for the sexes to be provided with decent and
separate sleeping accommodation.
In one gross case of overcrowding reported to the Local
Authority, a prosecution was instituted, due mainly to the
fact that the persons concerned had moved into the premises
from another district, with a full knowledge of the scanty
accommodation available. The result of the summons is
reported under the heading "Legal Proceedings."
Houses Let in Lodgings.—There are 67 of these houses
on the Register, and 125 visits of inspection were made during
the year, to ensure that the Bye-laws were being observed.
Verminous Rooms.—During the year, 39 rooms have been
dealt with. As previously, the necessary notices were served
upon the persons responsible, whether occupier or owner.
Every assistance has been given to those who were anxious
to free their premises from vermin, and fumigants have been
supplied at cost price, or fumigation carried out by the
Department at the owner's expense, after the walls have been
stripped as required.
Common Lodging Houses.—There are two Common
Lodging Houses in the district, viz., Nos. 42 and 188, High
Street, South Wimbledon, for which Annual Certificates of
Registration were granted from 1st January to 31st December,
1925. Ten inspections of the premises have been made from
time to time at irregular intervals, and I am pleased to report
that all the provisions of the Bye-laws were rigidly observed.
Van Dwelling's.—Considerable attention has been paid to
these dwellings, and on one plot of land an additional number
of vans, old trams and 'buses were found to be used for
human habitation by some sixty adults and children. The
beds in the majority of cases were very crude, being formed
by cupboards and shelves, with no provision for the proper
separation of the sexes, and no permanent means of ventilation
to the lower bunks.
I repeatedly interviewed and cautioned the owner of the
land, Avho is also the occupier of one of the vans, and, as a
result, up to the end of the year two vans, one tram, one 'bus
and twenty persons were ejected. The matter is still receiving
the attention of the Department.
With respect to the vans in other parts of the district,
these have been regularly inspected and the provisions of
the bye-laws enforced.
Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops.—Ten applications were
received during the year from persons desirous of being
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