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House Inspection.—Either as a result of inspections made
on complaint, in consequence of the occurrence of infectious
disease, request by occupiers, and other general inspections,
1,009 houses were visited. Table iii. shows a list of sanitary
works executed at these houses, together with defects remedied
during house to house inspection.
Overcrowding.—This matter is still the cause of considerable
anxiety on the part of the Department, for despite the number
of buildings that have been erected during the year I am unable
to report any improvement in the conditions existing. In
families where accommodation is very limited each year adds
to the difficulty, for the children are becoming adults and it is
extremely difficult, if not impossible, for them to be properly
housed. When more suitable accommodation is found the
families requiring it are unable to pay the exorbitant rents
demanded. In a few cases of overcrowding, caused by families
coming into the town from outside districts, action has been
taken by the Department, and, as a result of the service of
Notices, the conditions have been remedied.
Underground Dwellings.—As anticipated in my Report for
last year, the new Regulations under Section 18 of the Housing
Act, 1925, were made and afterwards confirmed by the Ministry
of Health. These give the Department additional powers with
respect to the use as sleeping places of underground rooms, and
apply to all such rooms used for that purpose. Prior to the
adoption of these Regulations the Local Authority was only
able to deal with underground rooms which were let separately.
I am fairly confident that when these Regulations are applied
to certain premises which have come to the notice of this Department
it will be the means of preventing such rooms being
used in the future.
Houses Let in Lodgings.—There are 67 of these houses on
the Register, and 5 visits of inspection were made during the
year, to ensure that the Bye-laws were being observed. New
Bye-laws under Section 6 of the Housing Act, 1925, were made
by the Council and approved at the end of July. These will
greatly assist the Department in the control of the houses let
to two or more families where the rent is considerably above
that stipulated in the old Bye-laws, which have now been
repealed. As a result, reports have been made on a number of
premises with a view to their being placed on the Register and
this will be done early in the New Yeaj-.
Verminous Rooms.—During the year 25 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
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