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9
In addition to this return the Inspectors report that they have forwarded
to the Metropolitan Board of Works several notices of dangerous
structures, which notices the Metropolitan Board has promptly attended to.
It appears from the above return of the sanitary work carried out by
the Inspectors, that no less that 1560 re-visits have been made to houses.
This large number is accounted for in consequence of the Inspectors having
to repeatedly call upon the owners of property to induce them to carry out
the sanitary work required. Many of the owners of property, after they
have received notices to do certain repairs—to provide better drainage—
water supply — to cleanse the houses; instead of doing the most important
works in the first instance, they begin to whitewash a room or
two; then they do nothing more until they are reminded of their neglect;
then something else is done, and after another visit, perhaps something
more, and so long as something is being done to the houses, legal proceedings
are not usually taken. A similar labour devolves upon the Inspectors
when houses are brought up for registration; as the Board, in order to
afford ample time for the owners of property to complete the improvements
ordered to be carried out, defer the consideration of the cases; and it is only
when the parties are contumacious that the houses are ordered to be registered.
I may observe that nearly the whole work above specified has been carried
out without the aid of the Magistrate (it having been necessary in one
instance only to take out a summons). It is true that, by abstaining from
taking out summonses, much more labour devolves upon the Inspectors, but
it is infinitely better and more satisfactory to get the work done, if possible,
without carrying the case before the Magistrate, and obtaining his order to
compel the owner to perform the work.
Although a great number of houses have been brought up for registration,
only 56 have been registered by the Board; the owners, rather than
their houses should be registered, prefer carrying out the necessaiy sanitaiy
improvements.
A great improvement has been made in some houses belonging to Mr.
Freeman, in George Yard, Whitechapel, numbered 9, 10, 11, 12, 21, 22
and 23. These houses have been cleansed; the yards, which were in
a very bad condition, have been well paved and drained, and are made to
communicate with each other, thereby giving a freer circulation of air at
the rear of the houses. The water-butts, which were old and in a filthy
condition, have been taken away and three water-waste preventers erected
in their stead.
Nos. 21, 22, and 23, Spital Street, and the houses in Spital Court,
belonging to Mr. Field, have also been greatly improved. The said houses
in Spital Street have been, until lately, without either privy accommodation or
a water supply, the tenants having been compelled to make use of the public
privies in Spital Court, which is some distance from the above-named houses;