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13
Department are more related to the structure and environment of
the older houses—once "rural cottages"—and the cleanliness of
the newer ones.
There is less difficulty, as a rule, in dealing with the cleanliness
of the older houses, for they are let at a rental which,
though low, is remunerative to the owners.
But the internal repairs necessary in the case of newer houses,
with frequent changes of tenancy, are a considerable tax on landlords,
who do not always secure their rents.
For some years past 1 have drawn attention to the structural
condition and surroundings of some of the older cottages and
groups of houses, and pointed out that, speaking generally,
demolition is the only possible remedy.
The Malthouse Area and Lifford's Place have, in particular, been
the object of repeated investigation and report, but so far the
Council has felt that considerations of finance prevent anything
being done on the lines suggested by me.
In the autumn a visit was made to these places by an Inspector
of the Local Government Board, and it having been decided that a
report made by me in 1907, representing the need for action under
the Housing of the Working Classes Act, had been received as a
report to the Sanitary Committee and not by the Council, 1 in
December last, renewed my suggestions in the form of a formal
representation under the Act, to the Council.
It must not however be thought that this Malthouse Area is
the only one which, in my opinion, calls for definite action. 1 am
of opinion, from my knowledge of the district, that the acquisition
of certain properties by the Council, with the destruction of some