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23
These are only a sample of the worst cases of overcrowding,
for although a smaller number was entered on the books during
this year as compared with last, yet they were in many instances
of a worse description. Very few were caused by the landlords
letting the rooms separately, but by the occupiers underletting
them, often without the sanction or knowledge of the landlords.
This is a horrible state of things, and can only be checked by
active and constant supervision, All these, and indeed nearly
all the other cases of overcrowding, were discovered by Mr.
Jones whilst making his inspections under the Sanitary Act.
The whole of the cases were abated, with one exception, without
taking out a summons. In many of the overcrowding cases
I inspected the rooms myself, and expostulated with the people
on the injury to health and morals which such a course must
produce. The excuse in most instances was " want of work,"
but on enquiry it was found generally to be the result of
drunken habits on the part of the parents.
The mean temperature of January was about 1 degree
below the average, of February 4 degrees, and of March
degrees, of April 1 degree, of May nearly 4 degrees, of June
degrees, of July 3 degrees, of August 1½ degrees, and of
September 2 degrees above the average of 27 years. In
October the temperature was 2¼, and in November nearly 2
degrees below the average, whilst in December it was nearly
6 degrees above it. The year 1868 was therefore unusually
warm, indeed with the exception of 1806 and 1852, the month
of December was the warmest known since accurate records
have been kept. The mean temperature of the year was
51°6 Farenheit, or 3 degrees in excess of the average of
the last 97 years. The highest temperature recorded at
Hackney was 96½ degrees, and the lowest 23 degrees, giving a
range of no less than 73½ degrees during the year. The