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61
Housing.
In my Annual Reports for the last few years I have continued
to stress the magnitude of the housing question. The housing
problems confronting the department have continued to increase,
and in re-iterating the statement contained in my 1946 Report,
that "the problem is assuming greater importance each succeeding
year," I must add that not only is it greater in importance but
greater in proportion. The task of providing housing for the
hundreds of families created and extended since the war, referred
to in my Report for the year 1942 as the main housing problem,
has been pursued with diligence, but the hardships having to be
endured by these small families in the meantime is a cause of very
great anxiety to the Council.
Licensing restrictions continue to operate, preventing a great
deal of work being done voluntarily by property owners. Justifiable
tribute can be paid to the forbearance of many tenants who are
deserving of better-maintained dwellings.
Housing Act, 1936, Section 11.
During the year Demolition Orders were made with respect to
the following 5 dwelling-houses, namely:—
No. 92, Church Road.
No. 8, Railway Terrace, Arthur Road.
No. 12, Railway Terrace, Arthur Road.
No. 14, Railway Terrace, Arthur Road.
No. 136, High Cross Road.
In addition, the local authority accepted undertakings that the
following premises would cease to be used for human habitation,
namely:—
No. 21, Hale Gardens.
No. 23, Hale Gardens.
No. 25, Hale Gardens.
One other property was represented for demolition, but the
owners were successful in an appeal to the County Court, the Judge
quashing the Order. The premises concerned were No. 86, High
Cross Road.