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112
These premises form part of the insanitary area, known as the Somers
Town Area, east of Chalton Street, represented by the Medical Officer of
Health to the London County Council on the 12th February, 1891, under
Part 1 of the Act mentioned. Subsequently an inquiry was held by the
direction of the Secretary of State, who finally decreed that so much of the
area as lies to the east of Chalton Street should be dealt with by the Yestry
under Part 2 of the Act, the County Council contributing one-third of the
expense.
At an inspection made by the Medical Officer of Health of the houses in
Weir's Passage, in company with Lady Henry Somerset and her agent, it
was agreed that something must be done on account of the condition of the
houses referred to, and her Ladyship's agent expressed the opinion that the
structural and decorative condition of such houses were beyond repair. Lady
Henry Somerset thereupon promised that she would be very happy to support
the Vestry in any manner in her power, in order to suppress what she
regarded as an obnoxious nuisance.
The Health Committee frequently viewed the dwelling-houses, and were
of opinion that Nos. 1, 5, 7, 9 and 11 (South Side), and Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, and
10 (.North Side), Weir's Passage, Chalton Street, which are used for dwelling
purposes, are in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit for
human habitation, and recommended—
That in the cases referred to, reported by the Medical Officer of Health,
notices be given under Part 2 of the Housing of the Working Classes
Act, 1890, to the person causing the premises to be unfit for human
habitation, as the case may be, to make the said dwelling-houses
fit for human habitation ; and in default of compliance with the
requisitions of such notices, such proceedings be taken as the
solicitor may devise for prohibiting the use of the premises for
human habitation, and for such penalties as the law provides.
The following communication was subsequently received from the Vestry's
Solicitors :—
"48, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
23rd December, 1895.
"Dear Sir,
"Insanitary Areas.
"Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, JO and 11, Weirs Passage.
"The adjourned summonses in respect of all these houses came before the
Magistrate again on the 20th instant. The Magistrate then stated that he
had inspected the whole of the premises on the 9th instant, when he had
found some of them very recently touched up and repaired, so far as decorations,
whitewashing, etc., went, and that in consequence he was not prepared
to make closing orders now ; but he stated that he had made very careful
notes upon the condition of all the houses, and was prepared to specify what
he thought ought to be done by the owners immediately, in order to render
the houses fit for habitation, and in such a condition as to ultimately avoid
a closing order.
"He then went through the houses seriatim, and we have obtained and now
send a copy of his notes, which will give all information.