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38
The initial inspection takes but a small part of the time,
much more time being occupied in getting the various items
of the notices complied with, after such notices have been
served.
This work commenced in 1894, when the then Local Board
resolved on a "House-to-House inspection of Cottage property
in the district." Since that date very few can have
escaped inspection, beyond those more recently erected, and
many have been insipected on two or more occasions. There
must be quite 3,000 such houses to be dealt with in this way,
being occupied by weekly tenants at rentals of about eight
to twelve shillings per week, a small proportion being from
six to eight shillings.
It is not possible to proceed with the work to any extent
during the winter months, as the more serious nuisances
would not be discovered, owing to the frost, etc., which interferes
with the testing of drains or fittings, as well as the
works of abatement.
The nuisances most commonly found are defective w.c.'s,
drain connections, and dustbins, leaky roofs, wet walls, etc.
The percentage of defective drains is comparatively low compared
with the earlier years, many of such drains having
been repaired or renewed after former inspections.
COTTAGE VISITATION.
241 other cottages have been dealt with under this inspection,
which is practically a " house-to-house1 inspection " of
cottage property, without the testing of the drains. It is
found that it takes four or five years to get through all the