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15
as far as the houses complained of were concerned. I spoke
strongly on the subject of overcrowding in my last year's
report. This is due chiefly to the very high rents demanded
by owners of Cottage Property. It is a usual thing for the
owner to put up his rents after being called on by the Council
to carry out some necessary sanitary improvement. A houseto-house
inspection should be made with a view to taking
action against the owners of overcrowded houses. This would
probably have the effect of having the rents reduced, and so
placing them within the means of a single family. For some
reason there has been a large influx of poor persons from
Battersea; whether the lavish distribution of charity in the
district during the winter months has anything to do with it
I cannot say.
Dairies
The Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops have been inspected.
There are 42 of these premises in the District, three
having been registered during the year.
A Cowshed, containing 50 cows, was abolished, as being
unfit for the purpose of cow-keeping, and the cows were
removed to a shed outside this District.
Milkmen supplying houses in which cases of infectious
disease occurred were cautioned against leaving milk tins at
such houses, and were instructed to have the occupiers' jugs
left outside the doors, and the milk poured into the jugs
without bringing the cans into contact with them.
Slaughter
Houses.
The Slaughter Houses have been inspected at intervals
and found to be kept in accordance with the bye-laws.
There are only six of these premises in the District, and
none of them are much used.
Bakehouses.
The Bakehouses, 22 in number, were examined during
the year. A bakehouse in Hartfield Road, which is under