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condition. A perusal of the tabular statement of this work,
recording the result of the inspection of 1,615 houses, will
go to show that apart from small numbers of structural defects,
the majority of defects discovered related to dirty and
dilapidated condition of the dwellings. Having regard to the
fact that 763 houses inspected were let to two or more families
and that the average number of rooms in all the houses was
under six, these conditions are to be expected. Further, the
Owners and Agents of the properties are accustomed to the
annual inspection and often await the service of notices by
this Department before executing internal cleansing and
decorative works. In very few cases can tenents be blamed
for the dirty condition of the walls and ceilings, as the rooms
are often small and gas burners are used as the means of
artificial lighting.
The action taken to secure the remedy of the defects
discovered was—following a report to the Council and the
obtainment of the necessary authority—in the majority of
cases, the service of notices under Section 28 of the Housing,
Town Planning Act, 1919, prior to July 1st, 1925, and
subsequently under Section 3 of the Housing Act, 1925. This
applies particularly to defects discovered during the house-tohouse
inspections. Similar notices were also served in respect
to houses inspected on complaint, but in certain of these cases
the service of preliminary notices secured the remedy of the
defects in the first instance, or the service of a notice under
the Public Health Acts secured a like effect. No exceptional
difficulties were met with in securing the remedy of unfitness
in houses, but in one case where an Owner of a large number of
weekly properties was particularly hard hit at one time, the
Council permitted a considerable extension of time for the
execution of the necessary works, the Owner undertaking to
immediately carry out urgent works and to spend a more or
less fixed amount weekly.
4. Unhealthy Areas.—No complaints were received
or representations made as regards unhealthy areas. The
Council have, I believe, plans prepared for the improvement
of certain parts of the district immediately conditions permit
of this being done.
5. Bye-laws.—The Council have Bye-laws relating to
Houses let in Lodgings, and also with respect to Tents, Vans,