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141
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, LOWER JOHN STREET.
A letter was received from a Surveyor, representing the owner of the above
bouses, setting forth that he was about to build detached sculleries and new w.c.'s
in the forecourts of the above houses, and that the combined drain of the premises
came within the definition of the word sewer, that it needed reparation, and that it
was the duty of the Vestry to do the necessary repairs. As the Vestry has no record
of the original construction of the drain, this contention could probably have been
upheld in the present condition of the law, but there was abundant reason for
suggesting that the time had come when, in the interest of the owner and occupants,
the houses should be demolished.
An interview was therefore sought, and -obtained with the Estate Surveyor, with
the result that my suggestions were all accepted, the worn out old cottages, which
had been very troublesome to the department for many years, were taken down and
carted away, and very superior houses have been erected in their place, fitted with a
new system of drains properly registered so as to preclude any attempt in the future
to impose private responsibilities as to drainage on the Vestry.
TENEMENT HOUSES.
During the past year 40 premises let to more than one family have been registered
under the regulations made by the Vestry for houses let in lodgings. It may be
mentioned that these regulations, including registration, are only applied in accordance
with the Vestry's instruction to houses where the rooms are let separately by
non-resident landlords, and that the number of such registrations would have been
much increased, but, as in such tenement houses no individual tenant can be held
responsible for injury done to property, or neglect to preserve commo conveniences
in decent condition, a little more trouble is therefore generally taken than the simple
registration would involve, with the result that owners are often persuaded (sometimes
with difficulty) to see their own interest in letting their houses to one responsible
tenant; for instance, see Foundry Place page 139, the owner of which has completely
altered the character of his 18 houses. As tenement houses they were a
disgrace to the neighbourhood, under the new order of management they are a credit
to the Parish. Again, the eight houses, Nos. 1 to 8, Watson's Place; in several of
these houses there were separate tenants in each room, and as usual in such cases,
they were of the most impoverished, dirty and destructive character. The owner
had bought the houses as tenement houses, and without experience to guide him
continued to let them in tenements, until acting under my advice he ejected all the
tenement holders, closed the houses for repairs, and has now let each of them to one
tenant.
OFFICE ACCOMMODATION.
A special Report was presented to the Public Health Committee, showing that
the existing office accommodation is of a very insanitary character, being underground,
dark, defective in ventilation, and inadequate in size for the accommodation of