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7
The chief occupations of the inhabitants, and the influence of any
particular occupation on Public Health.
A large number of men are employed in printing works,
and women are engaged in laundry work and in bottling beer
and mineral waters. A considerable number of workers are
employed outside the Borough, either in London, or in the
wealthier districts adjoining Kingston. There is no employment
directly affecting Public Health.
House accommodation, especially for the working classes—Adequacy
and fitness for habitation—Sufficiency of open space about houses, and
cleanliness of surroundings—Supervision over erection of new houses—
Action under the Housing of the Working Classes Act.
The town is chiefly a working class town. The houses
are generally of good character, but a few houses built about
the middle of the last century are unsatisfactory. These are
not bad enough to be condemned as unfit for habitation, but
are badly built and badly planned and concrete has not been
laid below the floors. These houses are confined to Cambridge
Road and adjoining streets; upper part of Richmond Park
Road; Cowleaze Road; Canbury Place; and the neighbourhood
of Mill Street: with a few isolated houses in other parts.
There is no closeness of building except in the business
neighbourhood of the Market place.
Pavement round the backs of houses is being introduced,
and there will be little to complain of as regards cleanliness
of surroundings when this is complete. Several minor streets
and passages might with advantage be paved with impervious
material such as "tar-mac." There is good supervision over
new houses, no new house being certified for occupation till
the requirements of the By-laws have been complied with.
No action has been taken under the Housing of the
Working Classes Act, but I again draw your attention to my
scheme for dealing with the worst area in the Town, that
adjoining Cambridge road. I believe an improvement scheme
on the lines I have suggested could be carried out with profit.