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11
CHIEF SANITARY INSPECTOR'S REPORT
Housing
The programme for dealing with unfit houses has proceeded
steadily and during the year thirty one houses were
represented to the Public Health Committee and nine
demolition orders made. Proceedings in respect of the
other representations had not been finalised by the end of
the year, but demolition orders have since been made.
A total of thirty-two demolition orders had been made
under the programme by the end of 1951 and the rehousing
of the occupants and demolition of the houses was proceeding
satisfactorily. In rehousing the occupants every endeavour
was made to provide them with accommodation,
satisfactory to themselves both as regards situation, size and
cost. Some difficulty was found in rehousing certain people,
for instance, elderly widows or spiders whose means were
often very limited and who had an aversion to leaving the
almost immediate neighbourhood of their old abode.
The repair of premises "in such a state as to be a
nuisance" or "not reasonably fit" has proceeded as far
as possible and in two instances works have been carried
out in the owners default under the Housing Act, 1936, but
the operation of the repair sections of this Act in respect
of the older properties became increasingly difficult.
Due to the increased cost of repairs and the stabilising
of rents at pre-war levels, it can now almost be regarded
as a maxim that to deal fully with any pre 1914 cottage or
smaller type house under the Housing Act, 1936, unless it
is in an exceptionally good condition, the operation of the
"reasonable cost" clause will prevent the service of repair
notices.
Despite the large building programme which the
Housing Committee carried through, the need for more
houses was still apparent. Applicants still sought the
department's help to hasten their rehousing and many
applicants were living in unsatisfactory conditions, as were
other unfortunate people who for one reason or another
appeared to be unable to qualify for inclusion on any