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GENERAL.
Windows repaired or renewed 184
Doors repaired or renewed 27
Floors repaired or renewed 55
Stoves and coppers repaired or renewed 38
Internal walls and ceilings repaired 275
Rooms cleansed 241
Handrails provided or repaired 19
Staircases repaired 1
Chimney stacks and pots repaired or renewed 9
Defective flue repaired 1
Underpinning 3
Dangerous walls, fences, etc. repaired or re-built 17
Statutory entries made in rent books 32
Overcrowding abated 17
Accumulations removed or covered 16
Ditch cleansed 1
Insanitary pond filled in 1
Access passageway cleared of rubbish 1
Nuisances from animals abated 5
Smoke nuisance abated 1
Caravans properly spaced 1
Caravan removed 1
Sale of food discontinued In secondhand clothing shop 1
Arrangements for storage of milk improved 1
Owner's name and address inscribed on ice-cream tricycle 1
Miscellaneous 45
See further details under headings "Food Premises" and
"Factories and Bakehouses".
IMPROVEMENT GRAFTS.
The Housing Act, 1949, introduced a scheme to encourage
property owners to modernise existing houses, " which though
soundly constructed and in good general repair, lack the
amenities and conveniences which have come to be regarded
as essential to a decent and healthy life", by providing
financial assistance for works of improvement.
The Council decided to operate the new scheme for a trial
period by making improvement grants In cases where new
housing accommodation would be provided by the conversion of
an existing building and where it was intended to improve the
sanitary arrangements and/or the system of water heating.
Rather surprisingly the number of enquiries about these
grants has been very small indeed, and at the end of 1950
only four applications had been approved. These were all
for the purpose of providing a bath, hot water system and
indoor water-closet, and the grants made were £100. in three
cases and £77.10.0. in the fourth.
It is an unhappy fact that despite all the splendid
achievements of the past 30 years in slum-clearance and
reconditioning of houses, the time has not been found opportune
to compel the provision of such necessities as a fixed bath
and hot water supply before a house can be regarded as in all
respects fit for habitation.
Even today there are hundreds of houses in this Borough
lacking such facilities.
22.