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regretted, but as the average is little more than 6 to a house, the
houses are not so much crowded as in many other parts of the
Metropolis, and we must therefore expect a larger number of
persons to occupy them in future years. Of course, the occupation
of the houses by so many persons keeps up, or rather
increases, the number of nuisances found in them every year
although the population varies less than might have been
expected.
It must not be assumed that the removal of the nuisances
found on the premises will make them fit in all cases for
habitation, as many of the houses were originally constructed in
such a bad manner and on so vicious a plan as to make them
more or less unhealthy residences at all times. The powers
conferred on the district surveyors should be much augmented
by Act of Parliament, so as to prevent old mortar being used' in
rebuilding, to insist in all houses built on made ground having
the whole basement covered with Portland or other cement, and
other improvements which I need not mention here.
The total number of nuisances abated during the year was
6,110, which is the largest number we have ever removed in a
year. They included 1,372 nuisances from defective drainage,
381 from want of proper paving, 186 from absence of dustbins,
264 from defective water supply or water supply apparatus, and
2,422 from the houses being dirty or dilapidated, or both.
There were 224 houses disinfected in consequence of epidemic
disease having occurred therein, and above 500 other nuisances
removed. The dust inspector made 12,445 visits to houses
during the year, either in his periodical inspections or in
consequence of complaints received. Accumulations of dust were
found in 1,352 of these houses in addition to those of the 1,357
houses concerning which complaints were made. There were
also 12,400 "D" cards distributed by the inspector during the
year, and the condition of 6,805 dust-bins ascertained. In