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moderate rentals. The construction of these dwellings is
interesting, as the floors are of concrete and the walls simply
plastered. It is at present too soon to say how far these and
other distinctive characteristics will prove attractive to tenants.
But the size of the rooms is certainly ample, and the buildings
themselves are wisely broken into blocks and not constructed in
terraces.
On the whole it may be said that in this district the working
classes are comparatively well housed. Certain localities are
unhealthy and the disappearance of not a few houses would be
welcomed. But the causes for dissatisfaction with many houses
are not such as can be easily removed under existing Acts.
What is really needed by the working classes is more air,
more light, and more water.
In recent and projected buildings the chief deficiency is in
the cubic space of living and bedrooms. At the present time
cubic space is sacrificed to perfection of construction and low
rentals. Another matter of sanitary interest to which legislative
attention is required is the quality of plastering employed by
competitive and speculative builders.
The rapid increase of building operations has rendered the
important work of the Building Inspector arduous and difficult of
fulfilment. It is satisfactory therefore that additional assistance
to the Surveyor in this department of his work is proposed.
The water carriage system of excrement-removal is now
general throughout the greater part of the district, although
some cesspools are in use. The sewage is disposed
of, with that of Richmond, at the works of the Richmond
Main Sewerage Board at the confines of Mortlake and
Kew. The present system of sewage treatment is chemical,
but the idea of bacterial methods has been lately mooted. The