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85
of the poor, it was urged as a remedy, that the "Lodging House
Regulations," based on the Sanitary Act of 1866, should be more
stringently carried out, and Shoreditch was alluded to as one of the
Parishes that had neglected to put the regulations in force. As a
matter of fact, I may call to the mind of your Yestry, that soon
after the Act was passed an earnest effort was made to carry out
the Regulations in the dwellings in Ware Street, &c., and legal
proceedings were resorted to, to enforce the regulations, and failed ;
it was then, and afterwards found more useful to resort to the
Nuisance Removal Acts. The owners and the tenants opposed the
working of the Regulations, and it was evident that an officer
would be required to give most of his time to see that the Regulations
were carried out; even if he did so, the Regulations could
only be applied to a comparatively small number of houses let in
lodgings. It was further clearly seen that if houses were registered
and the Regulations not stringently carried into operation the
proceedings would be mischevious. In considering the applicabilities
of the Regulations it is requisite to bear in mind, that there
is no parallel between the houses in which persons, however poor,
are endeavouring to keep a house over their heads, and the police
lodging houses. Nevertheless in accordance with the instructions
of your Vestry, I have endeavoured to bring into operation the new
Regulations. My attention was called to some large houses,
each let out to several families, and I found them in an
exceedingly dirty, and otherwise injurious condition; and the
Inspector reported that he had repeatedly served Sanitary Notices
on the owners, and alterations were made, but the owners soon
allowed the dwellings to become again unfit for habitation.
It seemed to your Medical Officer that the Regulations would
be very applicable to such dwellings and owners, but in referring
to the Regulations I found that houses of a rental of more than
sixty pounds a year, or the apartments let for more than six
shillings per week could not be placed under the Regulations.
The apartments were let for more than six shillings per week and
the Regulations could not be applied.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
HENRY G. SUTTON,
Medical Officer of Health.