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The nett result is what? In some cases, as I have said, houses occupied by individuals earning as
much as £500 a year! But in case after case, the poorest, those whose housing needs are dictated
by what should be the dominant need, viz., health, are still waiting, still appealing, for the decencies
and amenities that they see doled out to those who can afford other accommodation. Applications
have even been sent in asking for power to erect garages for the motors that the lucky occupants
can afford !
So far as I know, with all the plethora of effort, mainly because they don't know the need,
not one of the architectural wiseacres has solved the problem of the perambulator. Even the
B.B.C. tried and published plans where a definite effort had been made, but it was no solution. Fortunately
the present type of perambulator is not so destructive to walls and doorposts as was the
older one with its larger wheels and projecting hubs and handles with metal shod ends. Unfortunately
for a number of the poorest tenants these are still in use, purchased second and third hand. Those
of us who know these homes realize as no Architect or Surveyor seems to, the damaged doorposts,
and in those humble homes where the perambulator is used as the baby's cot in the living room,
the dado of dirt round the room at perambulator level, resulting from the expression of the emotions
of joy or rage of the occupant of the perambulator by means of its "puggy" hands on the wall.
Some Authorities provide a really good standard shed which will house the perambulator
and all the garden tools, etc., at a weekly rental of sixpence.
Still there is room for ingenuity, especially in the non-parlour type. Could not the perambulator
te housed in a special cupboard or recess with a separate door like the old fashioned coal hole, the
recess being placed against the party wall and the roof of it acting as the "dresser" inside the living
room? This would mean that the "pram house" would be dry and the pram aired, but it would
never get inside the house. Surely there is some solution ?
During the year in connection with the inspection of existing houses under the Housing Consolidated
Regulations, 1925 and 1932, the housing work has continued along the lines adopted in
1931 and material progress has been made in dealing with the listed houses that could be dealt with
by the service of notices. At the end of the year the Housing Inspector resigned his appointment
and the vacancy was filled by the appointment of one of the District Sanitary Inspectors who had
the necessary experience, and this has ensured a continuance of the work without a break.
HOUSING CONDITIONS STATISTICS.
1. GENERAL.
Number of New Houses erected during the year:—
(a) Total (including figures given below) 997
(b) With State assistance under the Housing Acts:—
(1) By the Local Authority 158
(2) By other Bodies or Persons —