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139
Some of the dwellings in the area are extremely aged, probably over 100
years old, ill-planned, damp, poorly lighted and ventilated, and have reached the
end of effective life.
Most of the dwellings are in a very poor structural condition, generally as
a result of consistent neglect; even superficial cleansing, as apart from structural
maintenance, is seldom carried out unless, and until, such is enforced by official
action on the part of the Public Health Department, and in the absence of any
enforceable minimum standard of workmanship applicable to work so executed,
most, if not all, of the work is of poor quality, and often left in an unfinished
condition. In addition, other objectionable practices employed, such as the use
of unsuitable, old and second-hand materials, have combined to produce the
culminating effect of general deterioration of the properties. The premises may
be described as being in most instances in a general state of disrepair.
There seems no doubt that the majority of the houses, which were built 80
to 100 years ago, were initially of poor construction, have no concrete over
the building site, and are generally without damp-proof courses. Many have
floors below the street level, the majority are damp, and in a neglected and poor
structural condition. Apart from such general defects as already mentioned,
there are several instances where individual bad planning details rob the interior
of the dwellings of fresh air and natural light.
None of the houses is provided with any form of domestic convenience beyond
vital sanitary fittings, and apart from the deteriorated structures, the interiors
also are in a general state of disrepair, and present a generally dilapidated
appearance. The majority are damp, and in many instances rooms, in spite
of repeated action by the Public Health Department, become from time to time
verminous.
Photograph No. 13 indicates the average type of dwelling in this area.
CLARENCE TERRACE AREA.
A small area embracing twelve dwellings—seven small two-storey single-back
cottages in a cul-de-sac, and a terrace of five two-storey houses also in a cul-de-sac.
The estimated age of the properties is in the neighbourhood of 100 years.
As regards the seven single-back type first mentioned, they provide accommodation
of four rooms, two on each side of the entrance door; they are one-room
deep, have no back windows, and in consequence there is an entire absence of
through ventilation of the rooms, in addition to which the front windows are
overshadowed due to the narrowness of the street, this effect being more pronounced
in the ground floor rooms where natural light is particularly poor. The main
floor level in these cottages is below the street level. The floors generally are
sunken, and the interiors provide general evidence of the effects of old age, wear
and tear, and weakening structural strength. At the rear, very small yards are
provided, approximately six feet deep, one side of which is wholly occupied by
a single-storey structure accommodating a wash-copper, sink, and water supply.
Each cottage is provided with a separate water-closet which is also situated in
the yard. In the case of three of the cottages, situate on the east side of the
cul-de-sac, the tiny yards are built around and shut in, allowing very little free
air circulation.
1 here is considerable dampness due to age, bad construction, indifferent maintenance,
the difficulty of effective sub-floor ventilation, absence of concrete over the
building site and damp-proof courses in the walls.
The remaining five dwellings each provide accommodation of five rooms with
a roughly improvised structure of wood or brick and wood in the yard at the