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arise out of it, but that would depend upon how the property
was used.
17,729. The property is used by Mr. Ball, Mr. Ross, and some
others. It is let by them in a manner which results in our finding
four, five, and six persons in one 100m. Taking the property
and the inhabitants together, it constitutes a nuisance?—
If that came to our knowledge our medical officer would visit
the place, and if he found that there was overcrowding, a notice
would be at once served upon the owner; and if it was proved
to exist in breach of the law, the case would be carried to the
police court. But, as I have already said, whenever it comes to
our knowledge that a place is proved to be overcrowded we
have never found any difficulty in abating that overcrowding.
17,730. But, by some means or other, very few of the nuisances
seem to come to the knowledge of the vestry; how is that?—
Everybody in the parish knows that there is the vestry, and they
know that the vestry is the sanitary authority, and if a nuisance
or defect exists and the vestry are not made acquainted with it,
it is not the vestry's fault, but it is the fault of those who ought
to come and inform the vestry and have it remedied. Generally
speaking, as far as is practicable, the vestry inspect and find out
these things without being so informed, but we are always
anxious and glad to receive information of such things were
they exist.
17,731. But the Chairman has read to you a long list of places,
giving you the names of streets, yards, and courts in which there
is most disgraceful overcrowding, and although within your
parish you have three sanitary inspectors and a medical officer
of health none of this has come to your knowledge?— That is a
genezal question which I can scarcely answer. I say that if
overcrowding was brought to our knowledge it would be immediately
abated. But 1 can scarcely accept a broad allegation
that overcrowding and the like does exist to an enormous
extent.
17,732. But here are the facts that by some means or other
this nuisance is in existence in your district?— What nuisance?
17,733. The nuisance that has been over and over again
described, of the terrible overcrowding of tenement houses?—
I cannot say that they exist generally. As I have already said,
if they do, we are very carefully kept in the dark.
17,734. Let me read to you the description of one house as an
illustration, from the evidence of Mrs. Bates, a school board
visitor. At No. 1403, the following question was put to her:
"Taking Allen Street, can you give us any information about
"the state of crowding in rooms in Allen Street? (A.)