M 31
Houses constructed subsequent to the passing of No. 1 Ordinance of 1903 possess a larger open space; one quarter of the plot being reserved when the land was purchased before the Ordinance came into force and one third in cases when the land was obtained after the passing of the Ordinance. The more usual type of older house is of three storeys, often with a cock loft to increase the accommodation, and has a frontage of sixteen to twenty-five feet, a depth of thirty-five to forty feet. The lower storey is often a shop. The upper storeys consist of one large room divided into three or more cubicles separated by partitions six or seven feet high, with a kitchen at the back. In the older houses there is but one latrine on the ground floor serving the whole house but those of more modern construction have a latrine on each floor. In some cases the approach lanes between each group of houses have been built over by what is termed locally "riding floors", the lower storey serving as a thoroughfare occupied by hawkers, street sleepers, and littered with debris.
Lighting and ventilation, means of access to upper floors (and escape in case of fire) and sanitary accommodation in this type of house is very unsatisfactory.
Recent legislation enacted in the year previous to that under review seeks to rectify many of these defects and set a much higher standard for new buildings.
Not only are the majority of the houses in Victoria, at any rate of poorer type, arranged with little or no regard for the principles of town-planning but they are individually grossly overcrowded. This condition of overcrowding became still more aggravated in the latter half of 1937, chiefly owing to the influx of refugees but also to the conversion of dwelling houses into factories and schools to replace those destroyed or menaced in areas in China affected by the Sino-Japanese hostilities. The Administration is faced with very serious difficulties in dealing with this problem of housing and overcrowding and it is to be hoped that the Housing Commission appointed by the Government in 1935 will be able to devise a satisfactory solution.
The general sense of insecurity influenced private building during 1937 and a considerable reduction took place in the number of houses constructed in the urban areas.
With the exception of one or two reclaimed areas town planning is more or less non-existent in the Urban Council Areas of the Island and there is no legislation dealing with the subject apart from the question of zones for offensive trades.
On the other hand, some admirable town planning has been effected in Kowloon and New Kowloon on the mainland and this district presents a far simpler public health problem.
M 31
Houses constructed subsequent to the passing of No. 1 Or- dinance of 1903 possess a larger open space; one quarter of the plot being reserved when the land was purchased before the Or- dinance came into force and one third in cases when the land was obtained after the passing of the Ordinance. The more usual type of older house is of three storeys, often with a cock loft to increase the accommodation, and has a frontage of sixteen to twenty-five feet, a depth of thirty-five to forty feet. The lower storey is often a shop. The upper storeys consist of one large room divided into 'three or more cubicles separated by partitions six or seven feet high, with a kitchen at the back. In the older houses there is but one latrine on the ground floor serving the whole house but those of more modern construction have a latrine on each floor. In some cases the approach lanes be- tween each group of houses have been built over by what is termed locally "riding floors", the lower storey serving as a thoroughfare occupied by hawkers, street sleepers, and littered with debris.
Lighting and ventilation, means of access to upper floorS (and escape in case of fire) and sanitary accommodation in this type of house is very unsatisfactory.
Recent legislation enacted in the year previous to that under review seeks to rectify many of these defects and set a much higher standard for new buildings.
Not only are the majority of the houses in Victoria, at any rate of poorer type, arranged with little or no regard for the principles of town-planning but they are individually grossly overcrowded. This condition of overcrowding became still more aggravated in the latter half of 1937, chiefly owing to the influx of refugees but also to the conversion of dwelling houses into factories and schools to replace those destroyed or menaced in areas in China affected by the Sino-Japanese hostilities. The Administration is faced with very serious difficulties in dealing with this problem of housing and overcrowding and it is to be hoped that the Housing Commission appointed by the Govern- ment in 1935 will be able to devise a satisfactory solution.
The general sense of insecurity influenced private building during 1937 and a considerable reduction took place in the number of houses constructed in the urban areas.
With the exception of one or two reclaimed areas town planning is more or less non-existent in the Urban Council Areas of the Island and there is no legislation dealing with the subject apart from the question of zones for offensive trades.
On the other hand, some admirable town planning has been effected in Kowloon and New Kowloon on the mainland and this district presents a far simpler public health problem.
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