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22
Houses condemned as unfit for human habitation
under the Artizans' and Laborers Dwellings Act.
In order that Paddington Parish should not be
behind in doing all that can be accomplished by
the enforcement of sanitary laws to improve the
health and habitations of the people, I have
ventured to try how far it would be possible to
carry out the provisions of the Artizans' Dwellings
Act of 1868. It is gratifying to state that there
are in the Parish very few of such miserable
abodes as are to be found in some older Metropolitan
districts, still a few places are in such a
disgraceful state that I have thought it desirable
to condemn them under clauses of the above Act.
Another course might possibly have been taken, viz.
to have them closed under the Nuisances Removal
Act, Sec. 13, until such structural alterations as
appear essential for the well-being of their inhabitants
have been complied with. In my judgment
however, it seemed impossible to carry out such
structural alterations as are essential, particularly
at the termination of the lease, which ought to
bring about the demolition asked for.
The following are the localities
1.—Houses in courts North of the Harrow Road.
These were reported upon, and some of them
condemned two years ago. The Harrow Road
Improvement Act, which is likely to be carried out
forthwith, will effect the result desired.