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ANNFIELD PLAIN

URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL,

Al^rJUAb REPORT

OF THE

MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH,

FOR THE YEAR 1919.

DlPTON :

Printed by C. MORDUE,
1920.

■ : VJ*' .

Inaclete House,

Annfield Plain,

March, ‘1920.

TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE ANNFIELD
PLAIN URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.

Gentlemen, —

I beg; to submit for your consideration the following Report upon the Health
and General Sanitary Condition of the District for the year 1919.

NATURAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
OF THE DISTRICT.

Area, &c., of the Parishes.

Kyo

Collierley and
Pontop

Greencroft

Within

TOTAL

Area ot District ...

. 00

3.489

(.Acres)

Population

8, 169

5.981

2,420

16,552

(1911 Census)

Rateable \*alue

.^,'24,803

.^21,150

1 2,659

i^58,6io

Registrar General’s Estimated Population.

For Births ... ... ... ... 16,813

For Deaths ... ... ... ... 14,138

Local Estimate ... 16,400

The Annfield Plain Urban District includes within its boundaries the Parishes
of Collierley, Kyo and Greencroft Within. It was constituted an Urban District in
1896, and it comprises an area of high ground varying from 700 to 1,030 feet above
the sea level. Pontop Pike, one of highest points in the County, is within its
boundary.

The drainage of the district is good, as the land slopes into valleys on three
sides, the water ultimately being carried into the rivers Derwent, Tyne and Wear.

The soil, mainly clay, overlying coal measures, covers the greater part of the
District.

Si.\ collieries operate in the District, with others immediately outside the
boundary, and give steady employment to practically all the able-bodied men in the
area.

The population are well fed and clothed, and fairly healthy.

Newcastle has the nearest Hospital, to which severe accidents at the mines
are sent.

The more densely populated parts of the area are to be found in the scattered
^•illages of Annfield Plain, Greencroft, East Castle, Dipton, Hill Top, White-le-Piead,
and West Kyo.

The following Table gives the averages of the births and deaths, Nc., for the
County in comparison with those ot the District.

County.

Annfield Plain

(per 1000 population)

Birth-rate ...

23 C?.!

25-28

Death-rate

DM 7

i:3-94

Zymotic death-rate ...

0-S7

1-42

.Small Pox ,,

0-(Mi09

nil

Scarlet Fever ,,

0 09

0-12

Diphtheria ,,

ok;

0-68

Enteric Fever ,,

002

0-06

Measle.s ,,

01 9

0-18

Whooping Cough

0 09

0-06

Diarrh(va (under tl)...

0-3O7

O-.309

Phthsis death-rate ...

(cHl

1-24

Influenza

1-27

1 24

Acute Respiratory Diseases ...

2-50

3-09

Infantile Mortality-rate

1 1 3 per 1,000 births

112-15

The local rates we calculated from the figures supplied by the Registrar
General for Births and Deaths.

Causes of Death in Annheld Plain Urban District, 1919.

(-a uses of Death.

Civilians only.

Males

Females

•All Causes

122

113

1 Enteric Fever ...

2 Small-pox

3 Measles

4r Scarlet fever

5 Whooping-cough

6 Diphtheria and Croup

7 Influenza

8 Ervsipelas

9 Pulmonary Tuberculosis

10 'I'uberculous Meningitis

11 Other tubercular diseases ...

12 Cancer, malignant disease ...

13 Rheumatic Fever

14 Meningitis

15 Organic Heart disease

16 Bronchitis

17 Pneumonia (all forms)

18 Other respiratory diseases

19 Diarrhoea, &c. (under 2 years)

20 Appendicitis and Typhlitis...

21 Cirrhosis of Liver

2lAAlcoholism

22 Nephritis and Bright’s Disease

23 Puerperal fever

24 Parturition, apart from puerperal fevei...

25 Congenital Debility &c.

26 Violence, apart from Suicide

27 Suicide

28 Other Defined Diseases

29 Causes ill-defined or unknown

Special causes (included above)

Cerebro-spinal fever

Poliomylitis

Deaths of infants under 1 vear of age

Total

Illegitimate

Total Births

213

215

Legitimate

2U3

206

Illegitimate

Population for Birth-rate

16813

„ Death-rate

16138

SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE

DISTRICT.

Summary of work done in the Inspector of Nuisances’ Department during-
the year 1916.

Number of

Informal

P'ormal

Number of

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTS.

written

Notices l)y

Nuisances

Gemcrai. Rk.marks.

Notices liy

Order of

abated after

Inspector.

.‘Authority.

Notice.

Dwelling houses ^ Foul conditions

and 4 Structural defects

Houses in teal condition

;13

Roots, plaster, windows etc

Schools. ( Overcrowding

Shortage of houses

Lodging-houses

Choked drain, lime-wash-

Dairies and Milkshops

■ ing, dirty bedding

Out of business

Cowsheds

Bakehouses

Limewashing, overcrowd-
ing, floors, drainage,
provision of diary, etc.

Slaughter-houses

Limewashing removal of

manure

Ashpits and Privies ...

Temporary repairs

Deposits ot Refuse and Manure

Water-closets ...

Choked and new basins

provided

Defective Yard Paving

Yards cemented

/ Defective Traps...

•2d

Traps for scullery sinks

Idouse ) No Disconnection
Drainage j from Sewers ...

1 Other Faults

Choked and structtiral

alterations, downspouts
connected direct to
drain, etc.

Water Supply

Pigsties

Animals Improperly Kept ...
Offensive Trades

Removed

Smoke Nuisances

Other Nuisances, Factory and Work-

shops ...

Limewashing and ven-

Limewashing of Privies

tilation

Ashpits unemptied and doorless

Defect’ ve spouting

New W.C. Cisterns and repairs to

vent pipes

Inspection Chambers provided

Totals...

410

330

Number.

Rernark.s.

GENERAL

Number of .New Houses erected during the year...

Number of such Houses occupied during the year

Five Rooms, Bath and W.C.

Ashpit-privies converted into Ash-closets

,, ,, Water-closets

.Ash-closets „ „

'I'otal number of Water-closets in District

676

„ Ash-closets ,,

1048

,, Ashjjit-privies ,,

1253

Ashbins (movable) ...

VITa.'tepcloset;^.

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

num

her of W.C.’s

417

491

601

A ^ 0

655

665

676

Ashclosets

1007

1019

1034

1054

1048

AshpitPrivies 1376

13 W

I 267

1 266

1263

I 261

1263

1253

Ashbins(movable)

nil

It will be seen from the above comparisons of the last 8 years that the water
carriage system, if not rapidly, is at any rate being introduced when an opportunity
presents itself, and that the objectional ashpit privies are, as they ought to be, corres-
pondingly decreasing in number.

259 W.C.’s have been added to the district, and 123 Ashpit Privies have
disappeared.

The Scavenging of the District is now undertaken by the
Council, men and horses being exclusively used for the work. 'Fhe older method of
giving the work out to Contractors was found to work unsatisfactorily, and it was
thought that by taking the work under their own direct control, the scavenging would
be more expeditiously and efficiently performed, as well as being more econontical.
Cp to the present, the expected advantages of the new arrangements have not mater-
ialised. Although there is a noticeable difference, it is not so marked as it should be.
’I'he cleaning of the ash-closets and privies are often overdue, and doors are often
forced open with pressure of the inside contents, and overflowing upon the footpaths.
This should not be. The Council cartmen don't seem to realize that time is of any
importance, and observing the horses, as the\' trundle along the public roads with their
unsightlv loads, one comes to the conclusion, that like their drivers, they sense that
there is no reason to hurry. Possibly the nature of the work acts as a soporific on
man and beast. This dreamful ease suggests a long descended connection with the
mild-eyed melancholy lotus-eaters of the Nile !

We hope, howevei. that the suggestions recently made by the Inspector of
Nuisances will have a beneficial effect in speeding up the work, and that each man
and horse, does, at anyrate, a reasonable amount of work during his eight hours’ day,
otherwise, it may be necessary to consider the advisability of having the work done by
motor carts or lorries. These light motor lorries are easily manoeuvred in narrow
streets, and in order to keep moving at all, must necessarily go on their errands with
more expedition than the horse drawn arrangement.

Scliools.

Owing to the excessively large number of infectious diseases notified in our
District for some time, the Surveyor, who was acting at the time as Inspector of
Nuisances, and myself made an inspection of all the schools in our area in order, if
possible, to trace the origin of these complaints.

We made a careful inspection of all class-rooms, corridors, out-houses and yards,
and the conclusion we arrived at, was that the newer and up-to-date schools, although
looking clean, had more dust upon ledges, floors and corridors than seemed consistent
with thorough and careful cleansing and supervision. The newer schools should be
much easier kept free from dust than the older ones.

The older schools were anything but sanitary. The walls in some cases were
damp and crumbling, windows and other ledges covered with dust, door and woodwork
ingrained with dirt, floors worn and very uneven, class-rooms overcrowded with school
furniture, and the lavatories outside in a foul condition. We certainly think that the
older buildings need reconstructing in order to make them sanitary. The matter was
before the Council, and the attention of the school authorities drawn to the report of
the inspection at the time.

West Kyo Infant School was closed for a short period owing to an epidemic
of measles in the village.

There is no complaint against the purity of the water supplied to our district
by the Weardale and Consett Water Co. The water is of a soft nature, and so far
as known, has no plumbo solvent action.

The main source of the supply is from upland moorland or fells, and is not
liable to contamination. The supply is constant, but previous years have shown that
the storage accommodation is not at all times equal to the requirements of the large
population supplied by this company. After a snowless winter or a dry summer, or a
continuance of dry seasons, we have experienced the discomforts of a “ water famine ”
on more than one occasion ; and as an unlimited supply of pure and wholesale water
is an absolute necessity — in order to safe-guard the health of the corimunity — every
provision should be made to ensure it.

With a view to this end, and in the light of past experience, the County Council
is now promoting a “ Bill ” to acquire the water rights from the W. & C. Company.
Our geographical position is pretty high, and in famine time we always experienced
the shortage of the water first, and were the last to be relie\ed of our discomfort.

IHEouses.

Regular visits have been paid to these houses, and 6 notices have been served
for the abatement of nuisances. Owing to the probability of these houses being in
demand shortly, because of the Council’s Housing Schemes being carried on in the
vicinity, adequate W.C. and lavatory accommodation is required in the Flint Hill
house. This, we hope, will be attended to in time.

FOOD.

Number.

Remarks.

FOOD AND DRUGS.

Seizures of Unwholesome Food

Convictions for exposing or selling Unwholesome
Food

Samples of Food and Drugs taken for Analysis ...
„ „ found Adulterated

NONE

Vide below.

IVIilk.

The quality of the milk produced inside and that imported from outside our
area is wholesome and up to the standard, no complaints having been made in respect
to the milk being otherwise.

IDsiipieS) Go'virsli.eds & IVIilkslrops.

I'here are in the District : —

Cowkeepers ... ... .. 17

Dairyman ... ... ... ... 2

Registered Purveyors in Milk ... ... 9

The cowsheds have all been inspected and reported upon, the conditions gen-
erally of these places being most unsatisfactory. Few of these places being built upon
the most approved plans, it is necessary in order to ensure the health of the cattle, and
the supply of clean, pure milk, that reconstruction of the buildings should be enforced.

Notices have been served upon 10 of these cowkeepers, &c., for the abatement
of nuisances, and 8 have been remedied.

The approximate amount of milk consumed in the District during the last
vear was 117,520 gallons, and if the estimated population is taken at 16,813, the birth-
rate estimate, the quantity of milk per capita consumed for the year is 7 gallons, less
than a gill for each per diem. The amount per head is not excessive, but so far as I
can discover, there is no difficulty in procuring the necessary amount for nursing
mothers and infants. There has only been one application for the supply of cream
under the Milk (INIothers and Children) Order, 1918.

There are 7 Slaughter Houses in the District, and these have been visited
regularly, and with the exception of one, which is rather inadequate in size for the
amount of work done therein, all the others are satisfactory in all respects and gener-
ally kept clean.

Un'virkolesome F'oocl.

A considerable amount of unwholesome food was passed
into the market during the period of the war, but owing to the restricted quantities
allowed in certain cases, it was, to these responsible for the public health, sometimes
a difficult matter to condemn absolutely those articles which came under their notice.
In normal times, the task would have been much easier. Suspected food, however,
which had to be cooked before eating, was not so dangerous as badly preserved foods
eaten in the raw or cold state. There were no cases of illness, so far as I could
discover, which could at any rate, be attributed to unwholesome food or flesh meat.
Most of the dealers in fiesh meat in our district reported promptly any suspicious
carcases which came under their notice, and we thus publicly acknowledge their zeal in
assisting to protect the public health.

The quantity of meat consumed in the District was : —

Beasts ... ... 804

.Sheep ... ... 2238 (this includes frozen animals)

Beef (frozen) ... 1 560 lbs.

This is an approximate record of the quantity of meat consumed, and it shows
a considerable reduction in the quantity as compared with 1915.

The health of the public has net, however, suffered from the enforced reduction
of its proteid diet. In normal times the miner eats more meat than he requires,
under the mistaken idea that larwe quantities are necessary to maintain his standard
of health and strength in his work.

I'he following articles were seized during the year, viz..

Beef

1131 lbs

Tuberculous

Pork

20 lbs

• • }y

Bacon

234 lbs

Unwholesome

Butter

60 lbs

• > )

Cheese ...

36^ lbs

* ,,

Eivers

Tuberculous, &c.

Eungs

Hearts ...

• y >

Stomachs

• ) y

PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

I>ise£i,ses in 1919.

Number

Notified

Parish of
Kyo

Parish of
Greencroft
(Within)

Parish of
Collierley

Removed to
Hospital

Deaths

Diphtheria

103

lOI

1 I

Erysipelas

I 2

■

—

Enteric

Measles

2 2 1

1 1 2

—

Malaria

—

Ophthalmia Neonatorum

—

Pneumonia ...

1 2

—

Pulmonary ... )

(a) Tuberculosis j

(b) Other P'orms. . .

—

Scarlet Fever

467

261

149

191

I'he above table shows at a glance the total number of cases notified during
the year, the number from each Parish, number removed to Hospital and deaths from
each disease. The number of cases of Diphtheria reported e.xceeds that of last year
by 78 ; Scarlet P'ever by 26 ; Measles by 73. 2 Enterics this year as compared with

none last year, but Erysipelas cases are less.

Number.

Remarks.

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST INFECTIOUS
DISEASES.

Lots of Infectiou.s Beddino' .stoved or destroyed ...

1 1

Enteric bedding destroyed by burning.

Hou.ses disinfected after Infectious Diseases

172 \

Scarlet Fever, Diptheria

23 I

T.B. removals and death, &c.

Schools ,, „

NONE

Prosecutions for exposure of infected persons or

things ...

NONE

Convictions for „ ,,

NONE

Diphtheria . — This year witnessed an epidemic of the above infectious disease,
more wide-spread in our District than on any previous occasion. 103 cases were re-
ported, coming, not from an isolated or limited area as heretofore, but from all corners
of the Urban District.

The epidemic was thus general, and it is very difficult to give a satisfactory
reason for its continued and extensive ramifications.

Possibly the sudden variations in the atmospheric conditions, particularly in
in the latter months of the year and with its prevailing dampness, had a lowering
effect upon the resistance to the virus in young children and thus predisposed them to
tall victims more readily. 1 1 deaths occurred, showing the gravity of the epidemic.
All ca.ses were removed promptly to hospital.

Small Pox . — Four cases of Small Pox having been notified in a neighbouring
District and removed to Howden Bank Hospital, seven re-vaccinations under the
1917 Regulations were satisfactorily performed.

Measles . — Our District was visited with an epidemic of measles extending
over a great part ot the year. It was a continuation with a short interregnum, of
the epidemic of the previous year.

Three deaths were recorded as having occurred from it, but the danger lies,
not so much in the original attack as in the injury to the lungs, which makes them a
fertile .=;oil for the subsequent incubation and developement of other diseases, including
phthisis. Fortunately, the epidemic was of a mild character.

Encephalitis lethargca . — The notification of this disease, which was originally
sanctioned for one year, is continued for this year. No cases were notified in our
District.

InRuenza . — The influenza epidemic visited our District in the early part of the
year, its rapidity and symptoms being the same as in other parts of the country.
The usual bronchial complications accompanied it, some of these being particularly
severe and manifesting itself as pneumonia or broncho pneumonia. Whole families
were prostrate, and when the mother was seized, the attention received by the family
was most inadequate. I have no doubt that cases of pneumonia and other lung
troubles were, although at that time not recognised, the sequelae of influenza. Since
the early part of the year there has been no recurrence of the disease.

Arrangements are being made to cope with any future epidemic which may
Visit us. on the lines laid down by the Ministry of Health.

1> i s i f e c tiior& .

The number of houses disinfected after infectious disease was - —

Scarlet P’ever

Diphtheria

Enteric ...

Tuberculosis

195

As it is desirable when a patient is removed to Hospital, suffering from an in-
fectious disease, that the mattress, bedding, curtains, mats, &c. in the room should be
disinfected, preferably by high pressure steam, some arrangement should be made
whereby these articles should be taken away and having been disinfected, brought
back at the expense of the Council, an inventory of each article being taken in order
to ascertain that they have been returned.

Were this done, as well as disinfecting the room in which the patient lay, using
liberally soap and water, and allowing the entrance of pure air and sunlight by doors
and windows, the probability is that the virus of the disease would be destroyed.
Disinfecting the room without the thorough disinfection of the entire bedding is not
of much value.

A wonderful amount of credulity exists among the average house-wife as to
the charm worked by a bottle of nauseating, crude disinfectant, sprinkled about the
room, doors and drains. This having been done, nothing more is necessary in their
way of thinking. This is a convenient doctrine, but not a salutary or sanitary one,
without the more important adjuncts of light, air and water, and some elbow grease.

SANITARY ADMINISTRATION.

Staff , — Medical Officer of Health.

Inspector of Nuisances.

Chief Surveyor and Assistant Surveyor.

I Temporery Architectural Assistant
(for Nevr Housing Schemes).

Acts.

The following Adoptive Acts ai'e in force in the District, viz ; —

1. — Public Health Acts .S.mendment Act, 1890.

2. — Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907, Parts 2, 3, 4 and 5.

3. — Private Street Works Act, 1892.

4. — Public Libraries Acts.

5. — Baths and Wash-houses Acts.

Isola>iiion £Eospit£i.ls.

Annheld Plain Council forms one of the constituent authorities of the Lan-
chester joint Hospital Board.

There are five hospitals under its control, viz. ; —

Tanfield, Leadgate and Langley Park for diphtheria, scarlet fever and enteric
cases ; Howden Bank for small po.x and Maiden Law, (formerly a small pox Hospital),
is now used as a Sanatorium for the treatment of phthisis and used exclusively for
patients sent by the County Insurance Committee

For some time, and before recommended by the L.G. B., patients from over-
crowdeci houses, suffering from influenza and broncho-pneumonia, were received into
these hospitals. If notified voluntarily to the M.O.H. by the practitioner in charge
that its removal to hospital was desirable in the interest of the patient or other
inmates of the house, the case was immediately attended to.

The Hospital accommodation, except during severe epidemics, is ample for the
area of the joint Hospital Boards.

As it is desirable that all cases, particularly diphtheria cases, should, when
notified to the M.O.H., be removed to hospital, as quickly as possible, the Joint
Hospital Board is now making arrangements to have patients removed by Motor
Ambulance in place of the slower method of horse ambulance. This ought to be an
improvement on the old method and an advantage to the patient.

Ba<c^er*iolo^ic£tl

The following table gives particulars ot the specimens sent in by medical
practitioners in the District for examination during the year, in accordance with the
arrangement made between the C.C. and the Durham C. of Medicine.

Number of
Specimens
Submitted.

Positive.

RESULTS.

Negative.

Inconclusive.

Diphtheria

Enteric Fever...

Phthisis (sputum)

Totals

Bacteriological examination of blood, sputum and excretions of patients is of the
greatest value in clearing up the diagnosis of doubtful cases of certain infectious
diseases.

Anti-toxin is supplied free to the medical practitioners in the District.

HOUSING.

Particulars of the Survey of the District.

Number of all classes of dwelling houses in the District
Number of working-class houses

Average number of working class houses built annually during the

5 years before the war ...

Number of working class houses built between January ist, 1915

and December 31st, 1918

3.2 5 «
3, 186

Overcrowding:- — Number of Tenements
Number of occupiers ...

Houses intended for one family only and which are
occupied by two or more families

300

2,400

Estimate of housing needs : — Working class houses required during ne.xt 3 years to : —

(a) Meet unsatisfied demand tor houses. . . ... ... 400

(b) Re-house persons to be displaced by clearance of unhealthy areas 142

cannot be made fit... ... ... ... J03

(d) Replace other houses which although they cannot at present

be regarded as unfit for human habitation, fall definitely

below a reasonable standard ... ... rr

I otal . . . 700

Number of houses seriously defective, but which can be made habitable ... 474

New Houses to be provided ; —

(1) With living room, scullery, three bedrooms and bathroom ... 560

(2) With parlour, living room, scullery, three bedrooms and bathroom 140

700

Houses to be erected at New Ewehurst, Catchgate, West Kyo, Greencroft,
Stobb House and the Loud Hill, and expected to be completed by 31st July, 1922.

Housing Acts.

419 houses were inspected during the year under above Acts, but owing to the
absence of alternate accommodation, these houses needing re-construction or closing,
had minor repairs made upon thpm in order to keep them reasonably fit until the new
houses are built under the Housing Schemes.

Several schemes, involving the re-construction of a number of properties, are
in contemplation, and plans are being prepared by their respective owners.

Closing Orders will be issued as soon as alternate accommodation can be
].>rovided, with respect to Annfield Place and Clavering Place, involviim- 142
houses.

ANNFIELD PLAIN URBAN DISTRICT

i.==lnspection of Factories, Workshops and Workplaces.

Including Inspections made by Sanitary Inspectors or Inspectors of Nuisances.

Premises.

Number of

Inspections.

Written Notices.

Prosecutions.

Factories (Including- Factory Laundries)

NONE

Workshops (Including Workshop Laundries

NONE

Workplaces

—

Total

NONE

2.==Defects found in Factories, Workshops and Workplaces,

Number of Defects.

1 Number of
' of

1 Prosecutions

1 D

Particulars.

Found.

Remedied.

Referred to
H.M.
Inspector.

Xtiisanres under the Fuhlic Health Acts : —

Want of Cleanliness

Defective Ventilation

NONE

Total

NONE

3==HOiVlE WORK.

jsrTj^.

4.==Registered Workshops

Workshop.s on tlie Register (s. 131 at the end ol the year.

N umber.

■2

Tailoring

IMillinerv ... ... ... ... ...

.Shoeniaking ... ... ... ... ...

Blacksmiths

Joinery

Retail Bakehouses

.Saddlery

d otal nuniber of Workshops on Register ...

2cS

No. of Shops Visits. Persecutions.

20 20 Nil

March, 1920.

W. M. MORISON, D.P.H., Etc.,

Medical Officer of Health.

REPORT OF THE OOUNTY HEALTH

INSPEOTOR.

Inuring- the past quarter the County Health Inspector has visited this district and
had an interview with the Medical Officer of Ilealtli with res]>ect to the local sanitary re-
(.luirements, and with the local Surveyor, in the absence of the Sanitary Inspector who is
in the Arniv, inspected the properties mentioned in Dr Smedley’s Report of December,
u)oS. and reports as follows: —

Since iqii Census was taken 354 houses have been built and 132 permanently
closed or demolished. It is admitted by the District Council that there may be some over-
crowding, perhaps 200 to 300 cases, but I understand that they do not consider it to be very
serious. It is, however, estimated that at least 350 houses are required in this district to
overtake the arrears due to diminished building operations, which have fallen from an
average of about 76 houses per annum to nil, and also owing to a number of insanitary
properties which should be closed. About 5 years ago this Council built 68 houses, and
have made provisional arrangements for securing the necessary land for 100 more, and are
now inquiring about other sites.

It will hereinafter be seen that several improvements have been effected, but there
is still much insanitarv property, which is very old, dilapidated, badly situated and
arranged, and has so many inherent bad qualities that the habitations can only be re-
garded as shelters, and often nothing short of demolition and clearing* the sites for a fresh
start can make for progress in housing. Manv water-closets and ash-closets have been
provided, vet foul privv-ashpits are still numerous in the district, as are also large unpaved
or defectivelv paved surfaces in streets, common and private yards, and generally about
dwellings, often conducing to dampness and grossly insanitary conditions.

Large numbers of stepladders are still in use throughout the district, leading to
low attic bedrooms, and while the squalid conditions under which many people are living*
at present are largely due to structural defects and the surroundings of the property, a con-
tributing factor of great importance is the w'ant of that systematic supervision which tends
to alleviate bad conditions, and can only be given by an active, intelligent Inspector who
is completely in touch with his district and thoroug'hl}^ understands his duties. The Dis-
trict Surveyor, who is acting temporarily in the absence of the Inspector who is in tl\e
Army, has much other work of importance to occupy his attention.

Claverixg Place, South Derwent Colliery Co. — Little or nothing has been
done here. The propertv is much the same as when visited by Dr Smedley.

High Square and Low Square. — 'Fhe wood huts have been cleared aw-ay and
71 good hou.ses with self-contained yards, ash-closets and water-closets, etc., provided
instead.

Weston’s Buildings, New Cornwall. — The houses complained of have all been
closed. Only one is now occupied with a shop and it is falling into disrepair.

Hobson’s Cottages, West Kvo. — Two cottages, consisting of living-room and
unceiled attic with stepladder approach, are damp and defective. Occupiers: — John
Downey. 2a and 4c; and Thomas Storey, 3a and 3c. These should be made thoroughly
habitable or closed.

There are also 2 houses very similar and near the above occupied by John Ward,
2a: and Thomas Peters, 2a. The floors are 2 or 3 feet below the ground which is against
the back wall. Mr Ward was ill in bed in the living-room as he said the garret fire would
not burn without filling the room with smoke. The front room walls of houses occupied by
Edward Mulligan, la and 2c; and Wilson Legge, 2a and 2c, are very damp. The floor
of the latter’s house at entrance, under stairs and in pantry is also defective. The yards
have been relaid and coalhouses provided since Dr Smedley reported thereon.

Alma Place, West Kyo. — Four cottages consisting of living-room and attic with
stepladder approach. One or tvvo floors have been relaid and some painting done. There
are no back doors or yards, and poor pantries, the conveniences being at end of Row.
They should be thoroughly overhauled and made fit for habitation, if that be possible,
otherwise they should be closed.

Wilkinson’s Buildings, West Kyo. — Property closed and in ruins.

Wail’s Buildings, West Kyo. — There are two cottages here occupied by Alaru
Brenton, 4a and ic; and James Beattie, 2a and 3c; in a dirty dilapidated condition and
quite unfit.

North Road, Pontof Rows. — On the East side of the road 19 cottages are still
occupied, the conditions being as described. On the North side of the road ii cottages
iiave been demolished and 47 new houses provided witli good yards, water-closets, etc.
This building scheme is to be continued.

North Rc^ad, Phillifson’s Proferty. — I understand that some minor repairs
have been done here, but two of the sleeping rooms are well rooms. In its present condi-
tion the house in my opinion is quite unfit.

Beattie’s Buii. dings. Delight Bank, Difton. — This property has been over-
hauled and the tenants reduced to 4. The improvement is considerable. There yet
remains, however, a covered ashpit and 4 privies a little distance from the houses.

Clarke’s Soijare, Difton. — Huts cleared away.

.Murray’s Buildings, Difton. — Two cottages ha\e been demolished to make an
approach to Picture Hall. Two water-closets are provided for 2 remaining houses, which
require to be thoroughly overhauled or closed.

Front Street, Difton (Todd’s Buildings). — A cement concrete path has been
laid down and the property generally repaired. A back door and window have been put
into one house, but there are still two back-to-back tenements occupied by Robinson and
Roberts, with bad floors.

h'RONT Streeit, Difton (Wilkinson’s Buildings). — One block of property has
been closed, and is in a state of dilapidation. Two insanitary tenements still exist. .Should
be thoroughly overhauled or closed.

OoD Houses, North Ro.\d, Difton. — The wood houses have been demolished
and io or more new houses erected.

ItDWARD’s Buildings, Flint Hill. — Two tenements have been made into a
through house. Yard pavement defective. Foul privy-ashpit, which is not conveniently
accessible to one front tenant.

Foster’s Buildings, Hill Tof, Difton. — L ittle or nothing done.

Robinson’s Cottages, Front Street, Hill Tof, Difton. — Closed and dilapi-
dated.

O’Neil’s Buildings, Front Street, Hill Tof, Difton. — This property has been
overhauled and greatly improved. New water-closets and ash-closets have been provided
and much impervious paving laid down. New windows to improve the ventilation have
also been provided. There are, however, still 4 tenements back to back.

Birtley’s Cottages, Front Street, Hill Tof, Difton. — Closed.

West Road, Dodd’s Buildings. — 'I'wo houses have been converted into one and
a water-closet (now defective) provided.

Colfiit’s Buildings, West Road. — The number of tenants has been reduced to
3, and each tenement has 3 or 4 rooms. Two water-closets have been provided, new stairs
put into one house and property improved by minor repairs. The yard and approach
paving is still defective, as are also some of the window frames and sills, otherwi.se the pro-
perty is fairly habitable.

West Road, 'I'iiomfson’s Buildings. — A new cement concrete floor was laid in
Tfxile’s Hou.se about 5 years ago, and ceiling of upper room boarded. Similar house at
rear, occupied by Edith Smiles, has a very defective floor. Bad houses, only shelters.

We.st Road, Taylor’s Cottages. — Six houses demolished and rebuilt with good
yards, water-closets, etc.

Miss Lee’s Mouse, West Road. — The two rooms complained of have been taken
into the tidjoining' house, and the flagged floor has been replaced by one of wood.

Back Front Street West (Lumlev’s Executors). — A cement concrete path has
been la.id down and the yard covered with ballast. Four windows have been put into each
gable end to improve the ventilation. Ash-closets have been put in and privies removed.

Joseph Street, Robert Street AXit John Street, West Kyo. — The yards have
been enclosed within a brick wall and paved with bricks, but the 40 houses are still back-
to-back, and the conveniences consist of 24 privies and 6 cohered ashpits at the end of the
rows. These houses can never be made into desirable dwellings till they are converted into
through houses with water-closets on the premi.ses and thoroughly repaired where required.

XoRTii Road, Dickson’s Buildings. — Some cement concrete paving has been
laid down at rear, but there is an unpaved cartway about 15 feet wide the whole length of
the buildings. It is, in mv opinion, more important to tar-macadam these congested yards
than many new streets. Front houses have unventilated pantries under stairs.

North Road, Forster’s Buildings.-— Four two-roomed tenements back-to-back.
Large unpaved vards at rear. Foul privy-ashpits. Only a little defective paving near back
door. The family of one occupier, Wm. Alderson, 2a, 5c (3 beds), sleep in one room where
there is a defective ceiling. The pantrv of tenant at front is below stairs and ventilated
through the riser.

North Road, Forster’s Buii.dings. — Large unpaved yard and foul priv3'-ashpit.
There is a great want of impervious paving in most of the yards on the North side of the
North Road.

North Road, Bainbridge’s Property. — Little or nothing has been done here.
The pantries for front tenements are cupboards by the side of kitchen fireplace, but venti-
lated through outer wall.

Wii.kinson’s Buii.dings and adjoining Block, Delight, Dipton. — Nothing
done. Conditions extremelv foul. Back andfront tenements not on the .same level.

Cross Street West, Dipton. — Three houses are still occupied. Some have been
demolished fo make room for offices, the remainder are in ruins. Plans for a building
.scheme have been approved.

Dei.ight Rows, Dipton. — Poor houses with grossly insanitary surroundings. A
number of these are to come down in connection with the last mentioned building scheme.

Front Street, Dipton (Stratford’s Built)Ings). — Little or nothing done.
Should be made into through houses with self-contained yard, W.C.’s, etc. Conditions
foul.

Delight Colliery Houses, Flint Hill. — Some new wandows have been put in
but the dampness, owing to a defective gutter between front and back cottages, continues.
There are also 2 privies for four cottages. In addition the floors are defectivelv flagged and
srepladders are in use. There is also a want of impervious paving at front and rear. Very
eld property.

West Road, Smith’s Buildings. — Obstructi\e shed removed and some minor
repairs made. Ashpit-privies and unpaved vard just as reported. Property should be
thoroughlv overhauled.

West Kyo (Earl Grey Inn). — T here are now 2 pri^-ies and a common covered
ashpit here.

J.ACKSON .Square, West Kyo. — These are chielly two-roomed houses built of free-
stone on an old quarrv. The west Row backs into the hillside much below the ground level
wit’n only a narrow area separating the house walls from the strata, and the east Row- backs
on to a small runner of water from which the foundations spring. There is much damp-
ness in the house w*alls, which probably are built without a .satisfactory damp cour.se.

1 he pantrv accommodation is in most cases simply a cupboard under the stairs and not at
all adequate. .Some ceilings and roofs are defective. The conveniences consist of foul
privies and an ashpit in front of the houses. Little or nothing appears to have been done
since Dr .Smedley visited this property.

Oi’ARRY Cottages, North Road. — Four two-roomed cottages facing north, which
seldom if ever get any sunlight. There is a stable at rear of the t(jp house, and some
erections at the rear of the others. Some of the back walls are damp and the ash-closets
are out of repair. Steps should be taken to provide more sunlight to these houses, and
also a cement concrete path and two self-cleansing sinks should be substituted for the two
large cesspool gullies now in use, and about which complaints are made.

Back Front Street, We.st Kyo (IMcrray’s Bcildings). — Two water-closets have
been provided. The obstructive shed has been removed from against the back wall. \’ery
poor class of property which cannot be made properly habitable.

iv\CK Front Street, Russell’s Yard. — These cottages are just as when inspected
bv Dr Smedley. Should be closed when suitable provision is made for tenants.

Back Front Street, West Side (Mall’s Cottages). — .4 water-closet has been
put in. \’ery poor class of property. Cannot be made properly habitable.

Annfield Place, New Cornwall. — In the east block live hoiLses have been demol-
ished. Nos. 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 72 are closed, and Nos. 39 and 69 are
empty and in the hands of the masons. In addition some minor repairs have been effected,
otherwise the conditions are just as when Dr Smedle_y \isited them. It is ab.solutelv im-
possible to make good houses of the.se without rebuilding them.

Curry’s Square, Difton. — Nothing clone. Squalid conditions at rear. Plans have
been submitted to the District Council showing proposals to provide self-contained vards,
water-clo.sets and coalhouses and other improvements to the lobbies and pantries.

Smith’s Y.ard, IDipton. — I'here are four two-roomed houses and one three-roomed
liouse in this vard, which is iinpaved, and also contains twO' foul privies, one ashpit, and
also a foul sink. In some instances there are small windows on the stairhead, but no back
door and the back walls are wet, the ground at the rear being above the floor level. The
sinks become choked and the living-rooms are said to be flooded from time to time. The
property is in a very bad state of repair and quite unfit. The occupiers are Airs Ball, 2a,
2c ; George Robson, 2a, 2c; (Mrs Gilbert, 2a, 5c; Edward I'reeman, 2a, 6c; jolin .Arm-
strong, 2a, 2C.

Cooper’s Buildings, Dipton. — Conditions just the same. No land at rear
belonging to these premises to allow of through ventilation by doors or windows.

Doulais Buildings, Dipton. — Conditions just the .same. Plans prepared but
work not proceeded with owing to the war.

Waterson’s Bi ildings. Front Street, Dipton. — Some minor repairs have been
made, and a footpath has been laid in the front street, otherwise the conditions are verv
bad.

I'ront Street, Dipton (Bute’s Cottages). — new cement concrete footpath has
been laid in front of the high block and some minor repairs executed, but still far from
being satisfactor^y. Three hou.ses are empty and others are under notice to cjuit. I am
informed that the further improvement of these houses was being considered when the war
broke out.

Ioicey’s Property, Flint Hill. — One cottage is closed and dilapidated. The
adjoining cottage consists of two apartments, which are fairl}- clean. Roof recently
repaired, defective floors, foul privy-ashpit.

Phh.lipson’.s Buildings, h'l.iNT Ilii.t.. — There are four cottages here occupied by
.Messrs John Mclver, Patrick Morris, jo.seph Elliot and Charles Beverley, consisting of a
li\ing-ronm and an attic approached by a stepladder. The roofs are defective, three not
ceiled, and defectively ilagged floors. These cottages, being situated at the bottom of a
(lecli\-ity, are said to be lloored from time to time, and there are foul conditions and a want
of imp(T\ ious jiavement about the entrance to the dwellings.

OfI'TCK Yard, Whitic-le-Head. — .\ concrete path has been laid down at the front
of lhe.se cottages which are just as de.scribed (without back doors and yard), a description
which j)erhaj).s applies to hundreds of houses in this district and a large number in this
kjcalily. The.se cottages would be built probably 60 years ago, and would cost about as

inanv pounds. I'hev consist of a large living-room and attic approached bv a stepladder,
and divided into two compartments. Some of the ground Hoors are defective, and the free-
stone walls are somewhat damp presumably owing to there being no damp cour.se, and
al.so to defective spouts.

lliOH BrsHULAnKS, Moor Coi.likrv. — I'here are similar old properties

ht're in need of attention.

John Stri-:i-:t .and |.ames’ Street, Tanfield Moor Colliery. — There are ten houses
in the former street and fourteen in the latter, where the stepladder is in general use, and
through ventilation being only bv means of windows, there being nO' front doors. These
are similai old properties whiph have had .some minor repairs effected, but are more or less
ilamp.

ft I

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