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regard to the closing and demolition of houses which
become unfit for human habitation.
I was compelled to call the attention of the Council
to the difficulties which arose through the service of
notices on occupiers, of the Council's intention to make
Closing Orders. This procedure was carried out in
accordance with the recommendation of the Local
Government Board that notice should be given to all
persons interested in the house, whether within the
definition of owner or not ; but as it caused considerable
and unnecessary trouble in almost every case, the
Committee decided to defer the giving of notice to
occupiers until the statutory proceedings are commenced,
As the proceedings to enforce repairs to houses could
not be taken under Section 15, in every case where the
premises were found to be unfit for human habitation,
notice was given of the Council's intention to make a
Closing Order, and the statutory requirements were
subsequently complied with. Sixty-nine houses were
thus dealt with during the year, particulars of which
are as follows
No. 1 Church Street.—Subsequent to the Council's
notice of intention to make a Closing Order, the
owner executed the necessary repairs inside the house,
and the question of the condition of the flank wall was
referred to the Surveyor.
Nos. 1 and 2, Church Walk.—These two cottages
were reported to the Council as being unfit for human
habitation by reason of insufficient light and