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and most of them found to be overcrowded. The cubic space which, in the
overcrowded rooms, was allotted to each occupant varied from 288 feet, to
72 feet. In this last mentioned case there were seven persons sleeping, viz.:
a man and his wife and five children. Out of the 19 rooms which were
visited, 8 were overcrowded, and 7 indecently occupied. In a passage
adjoining one of these rooms, it was ascertained that three men and three
women were sleeping on the floor. These parties had recently arrived from
Poland. The Inspectors were informed that the rents for these rooms
varied from 2/3 to 4/6 per week. A similar disregard to ordinary cleanliness
as was observed in the former visit of the Inspectors was found on
this occasion. So long as such overcrowding continues, it will be found not
only that the health of the individuals occupying such apartments will
suffer, but the health of the public will also become lowered, and the rate
of mortality increased.
Furnished Rooms.
On visiting the so called furnished rooms it was found that some of
the bedding, which is made of the commonest sort of materials, was in a
most filthy condition. In all those instances notices were given to the
respective owners to provide new and clean bedding, &c., who complied with
the notices.
Sanitary Works Performed during the Quarter ended
29th December, 1877.
The following return shows the amount of work done by the Sanitary
Inspectors during the Quarter ended 29th December, 1877:—
Number of inspections of houses as shown in the official returns 2984
Houses specially visited 335
Houses specially re-visited 1035
Preliminary notices served, such notices embracing 329 premises 177
Compulsory orders issued, embracing 165 premises 63
Summonses heard at Police Courts, under Sanitary Act 4
,, under Act for the prevention of Adulteration of Food, &c. 2
Cellars used as dwellings discontinued for such use 3
Cases of overcrowding and indecent occupation abated 10
Houses in which rooms or passages have been whitewashed 116
Rooms disinfected with sulphurous-acid gas, after the occurrence of
small-pox, fever, and scarlet-fever therein 43
Articles disinfected in rooms, consisting of beds, bedding, clothing, &c. 344