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119
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
Rentals ; Repairs, Painting, &c. 6 per cent. on Gross Rentals. (The deduction
of rates and taxes is based on a rating of 7/4 in the £, but allowing the
usual rebate for compounding).
The reports were carefully prepared by Messrs. Joseph, Son & Smithem,
and were accompanied by block plans and measurements, and Mr. Smithem
attended the Committee and gave every explanation.
The estimated cost of the land proposed to be purchased was, however,
found to be, in the case of the Rectory Grove site, after allowing for the land
required for the widening of North Street, and for tramway extension, and
including compensation, £5,876, or £5,416 per acre, and in the case, of Hill's
Yard £6,197. It is therefore clear that if, as the Committee think should be
the case, these buildings are to be actually self-supporting, the price of land
renders the scheme impracticable, for where the dwellings are most wanted,
and therefore most likely to be generally full, the price of land is highest.
The price of land being prohibitive, the Committee have not thought it
necessary to further test the accuracy of the figures of the estimates contained
in the reports.
Unless, therefore, other suitable sites can be found or plans suggested
that will be an improvement on the dwellings which appear to the Committee
to be the best and most economical for the purpose, the Committee
regrets that it cannot recommend the Council to proceed further with the
matter at present.
The Sub-Committee was re-appointed to further consider
the question.
With regard to the housing question in the wards of the
Borough, the following information received from the Census
Office on request of the Council shows the total tenements and
tenements 6f less than five rooms, distinguishing those occupied
by various numbers of persons in the Borough and its constituent
wards at the Census of 1901.