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Overcrowding.—During the year 45 houses, or parts of houses,
have been found to be in an overcrowded condition. In several
cases the occupiers have sympathetically afforded accommodation
for an additional family too poor to pay much rent. In such cases the
people have been dealt with leniently, and by a rearrangement of
the accommodation or some patience as to removal, the difficulty has
been got over. In other cases where the overcrowding, as is often
found, was associated with filthy conditions, prompt action was
taken, and pressure brought to bear, resulting in abatement of the
overcrowding and cleansing of the premises. Eighteen houses have
been cleansed throughout.
Damp Houses.—Owing to the damp conditions of walls, the space
beneath the walls of houses 1 and 2, Castle Yard and 7 to 23,
College Place were examined, and found to be so damp as to render
them uninhabitable. Notices were sent to the owner, and eventually
the whole of the houses were provided with new damp-proof
courses, the sites concreted, means of ventilation provided under
the floors, and, where necessary, new floors laid down. Paving was
also laid down outside, and the premises made dry and warm. In
fourteen other cases dampness has been remedied by paving round
the house and fixing a cement plinth at the lower part of the walls.
Infectious Disease.—Infectious disease has occurred in 849
premises, and in every case an early inspection has been made of
the sanitary arrangements and surrounding conditions, and every
possible inquiry made to ascertain if any local circumstances have
contributed towards the infection. Books belonging to the Public
Library found to be in use have been removed and disinfected before
return to the Chief Librarian.
The drains and sanitary fittings of all the houses have been carefully
examined and tested, and in ninety-eight cases it has been
found necessary to have repairs executed to the drains, while 471
repairs of minor importance have been effected on the premises.
After the removal of the patient, or recovery, if treated at home,
the bedroom—and when thought desirable other parts of the
premises—have been fumigated with sulphur and formaldehyde
vapour, and, when found to be in a dirty condition, notices have
been served on the owners requiring stripping and cleaning.
The bedding, clothing, etc., removed from the sick-rooms have
been conveyed to the Council's Washington Lyon Disinfector at