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previously, and accordingly an additional Sanitary Inspector was
appointed who could give his special attention as part of his duties to
this side of the work. This Inspector commenced duties in December,
and next year I hope to be able to report much satisfactory progress
in this respect.
The question of Tenement House Bye-laws and their efficient
enforcement will soon have to be considered by the Council, because
since the partial abolition of the Rent Restriction Act during this year,
many such houses are now decontrolled, and the work of enforcing the
various requirements of the Bye-laws is throwing extra strain on
both the clerical and inspectorial staff.
There are 3,323 basement dwellings in the Borough, i.e., a room
or rooms the floor of which is three feet or more below the adjoining
ground or street. Of this number 83 are illegally occupied and are
being dealt with as rapidly as rehousing accommodation can be obtained
for the inhabitants.
HOUSING ACT, 1930, Section 1.
The following Area was represented in January, 1932:—
(A) Amery Place—Kinglake Street Area—64 houses.
The Ministry of Health enquiry was held in the Town Hall in May,
1933, but owing to legal difficulties the people were not rehoused until
early December, 1933.
It was found impossible to rehouse a few of the families in the new
flats at Doddington Grove, owing to their inability to afford even the
State-aided rent, and they have accordingly been decanted at one end
of Amery Place until cheaper accommodation becomes available.
I fear the further we proceed with slum clearance, the greater will
become the number of families who will require cheaper accommodation
than that which at present is being provided by the Council, and it is
hoped that attention will be given to the needs of our poorest citizens
and bousing facilities afforded them necessary for their health and
self respect.