View report page

114
themselves on Council property when speedy action can be
taken to remove them by towing them off the land and depositing
them on the highway, due care being taken of both person and
property, bat where the land is in public ownership, controlled
by a Central Government Department which is unwilling to
take any steps whatsoever to prevent nuisances being created
on land under their jurisdiction, the problem is amplified
simply because this type of itinerant, who is permitted to
stay without let or hindrance on land abutting the public
highway, immediately makes known the availability of such a
facility by means of the express "bush telegraph" used so
adequately and speedily by these people; the consequence
being the aggregation of a large number of caravans on waste
land adjacent to the public highways in close proximity to
dwelling houses. These people do not want permanent stopping
sites where they can be controlled as to their sanitary circumstances,
their personal hygiene, the prevention of nuisances
and above all by the constant supervision by both officials
and police. They contribute nothing to the social improvement
of either themselves or the area in which they stop and their
form of life is such that they want to be unhampered in their
movements which must be in accordance with their own particular
standards of living. It is freely acknowledged that
these people have a right to live a reasonable life but the
obligations to provide them with the right to live freely as
they wish should not fall upon any particular local authority
to which they make no rate contribution but rather on the
central government which should provide national sites at
suitable points and subject to strict control by both Police
and Public Health Officers. A reasonable charge should also
be made on those persons using the accommodation. I he
prevention of serious nuisances would be ensured by careful
supervision and the provision of suitable sanitary amenities
regulated by the local authorities.
Housing Repairs
and Rents
Acts, 1954 and
1957. Rent and
Mortgage Interest
(Restrictions)
Acts,
1920 and 1939.
Rent Act 1957
and Rent Act
1965
The administration of these Acts, insofar as the issue of
certificates of disrepair was concerned continued much as
in 1965, there being only six applications received all o(
which were granted. Four undertakings were received from
landlords to carry out specific repairs. No Certificates of
Disrepair were issued and two Certificates of Disrepair were
cancelled during the year.