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51
fectively used, indeed practically ignored, by architects,
builders, owners, and occupiers.
New Houses and other Buildings.
The following return, for which I am indebted to
Mr. Legg, the District Surveyor, shows the number of
dwellings and other buildings erected in the Hamlet
during the past year:—
New houses
210
Church
1
Iron ditto
1
Synagogue
1
Theatre
1
School Board School
1
Although I much regret to see the open spaces disappearing
rapidly, one after another, still, if the population
of the Hamlet persist in increasing in the way it
has done of late years, provision must be made for its
shelter. But last year this increase in the number of
new houses was neutralized, temporarily at least, by
about an equal number having been demolished for
railway purposes, so that there was no absolute addition
to the house accommodation for the increased
population. I am satisfied there is very great overcrowding
in some parts of the Hamlet, than which
nothing is more injurious to the general health, and
more likely to produce fever and other diseases.
Healthy dwellings, if attainable, would be the greatest
desiderata to health and comfort, but from foundation
to roof the construction of an ordinary human habitation
is a series of blunders in respect to both these
desirable conditions, unless, indeed, they are designedly
contrived to cause illness and misery and all that is
inimical to health and convenience in a domestic interior.