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negligence on the part of the owners, nor to any desire to evade
their responsibility, but to their inability through lack of funds.
In a number of cases, on receipt of a communication, the owner
calls at the Office and states plainly the circumstances of the
case and an arrangement is then come to whereby, providing
the serious defects, such as roofs, gutters, dampness, etc., are
remedied immediately, the remainder of the work is permitted
to be done in stages. This oftentimes leads to more work being
done than is actually required by the Notice, as the owner
appreciates the assistance given to him, and is anxious to keep
his property in as good condition as possible.
On a piece of land in the Borough a family, consisting of
man, wife and three young children, were found to be occupying
two wood structures. One, formed of two bus bodies, resting
on brick piers, was used as living room and bedroom, and the
other, just an ordinary rough shed, was used as a bedroom for
two children.
The water supply was obtained from a main tap about 120
yards away, and the only convenience provided was a pit latrine
which during wet weather became flooded, with the result that
the surrounding ground was frequently fouled.
The man was unemployed and could not afford to pay more
rent.
The owner was called upon to remedy the insanitary conditions
existing, and to cause the structures to be vacated.
The Notice was complied with and the sheds are now being
used as storerooms by the owners of the land.
Overcrowding.—In addition to cases of overcrowding
discovered during general inspections, ten complaints were
received and investigated.
Following verbal advice, the conditions were altered in two
of the cases. In one case an ejectment order was obtained, and
in another case, where the tenant was found to be extremely
neglectful, the nuisance was abated following the service of a
Notice and the subsequent threat of a summons. In the other
six cases, the complaints were found to be unjustified, and were
evidently made in the hope that a visit from your Inspector
would result in possession of the rooms being obtained without
an appeal to the Magistrates. This time-worn ruse is adopted
by a number of persons, but when the facts are known to the
Public Health Department the complainant is advised as to
the proper procedure.
One of the problems met with is that of separation of sexes,
and the provision of adequate sleeping accommodation in mixed
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