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19
Sanitary Administration.
HOUSING.
The pre-war population of the District was 34,745, and the
present population is estimated at 37,127. Some houses have been
built, but there is still overcrowding and sub-letting.
With regard to the Housing Problem:, the Council's policy is now
formed, and the work is proceeding, so there is no need to dilate
upon it beyond reminding them of the necessity for clearing slum
areas as soon as new houses are ready.
During the year 75 new houses were erected, 32 being part of the
Council's Housing Scheme.
Further buildings are in course of erection, including schemes
being carried out by the Council with direct labour.
The Housing Committee are making use of the new powers conferred
by the 1919 Housing Act, and a, large amount of repairing work
is in hand.
Bye-laws are in course of preparation to assist the Council in the
proper conversion of houses, originally for one family, into flats for
two of more families.
There are no Common Lodging-houses in the District, but some
of the houses in Stanton Road are such in fact, if not in name, and
will have to be dealt with under the new Bye-laws.
West Road was dealt with more on account of general untidiness,
due to litter and want of proper ash bins.
Stanton Road and Bee'chcroft Road were reported upon as
examples of houses turned into flats without proper sanitary equipment,
such as a self-contained flat should contain.
It must be borne in mind that unless the regeneration of slum
areas goes hand in hand with Town Planning and new Building
Schemes, there is no hope whatever of getting a result even approximately
approaching Garden City Schemes.
Many of the Council's Schemes are maturing, or about to' mature,
and it is hoped that the gross cases of overcrowding occasionally
coming to our nolice will soon cease to exist.
In my opinion, the rules laid down for cubic space in living and
sleeping apartments and schools are antiquated, and I hold that a
growing child requires as much fresh air as an adult, and that every