View report page

50
In March it was decided to make application to the Home Secretary for an order modifying the
method of laying out the area originally sanctioned. The new plan approved by the Council was based
on a system of streets radiating from a central open space and provided for rehousing 88 persons
in excess of the actual number required by the scheme. The Home Secretary sanctioned the modifications
proposed, and subsequently approved a further modification reducing the total number of persons
to be rehoused from 5,100 to 4,700, this course being necessitated by the devotion of two-thirds of
the Goldsmith's-row site, upon which it had been intended to house 500 persons, to the purposes of an
open space.
The area had been divided for purposes of reconstruction into five sections; the first of these,
that to the north-east, was already cleared in July, and demolition in the second section proceeded
during the latter half of the year. Application was made to the Home Secretary to sanction the
erection by the Council itself of buildings on the north-eastern section, and the matter was placed
in the hands of the Works Committee.
The work, referred to in my annual report for 1892, of inspecting premises coming into the
Council's possession, and new residences to which persons displaced had recourse, was continued as
occasion rendered it necessary in 1893. At the middle of the year 554 houses had been acquired, and
160 houses remained to be acquired ; in 84 instances vacant possession had been obtained, in 325
instances the houses were closed by the Council, and in 145 instances the premises remained occupied.
During the latter part of the year possession of some of these houses was obtained and some further
closures were effected.
(b) Schemes undertaken by the Council with contributions by the district authority under Part II.
of the Housing of the Working Glasses Act.
Brooke's-market, Holborn.—This scheme was sanctioned in October, 1892. During 1893 the
various claims were under consideration, and by the end of the year agreements had been arrived at
with nearly all persons interested in the several properties. In June the official arbitrator was
appointed.
Ann-street, Poplar.—The facts relating to this area are given in my annual report for 1892.
The Local Government Board inquiry was held in June, 1893, and the scheme sanctioned in Februarv,
1894.
Mill-lane, Deptford.—I gave particulars concerning this area in my annual report of last year.
The official inquiry was held in February, 1893, and in July the scheme was sanctioned. Statutory
notices were served forthwith on owners of property in the area, and negotiations for the acquirement
of the several interests were proceeded with.
(c) Schemes undertaken by district authorities with contributions by the Council under Part II.
of the Housing of the Working Classes Act.
Green-street and Gun-street.—The Vestry of St. George-the-Martyr, Southwark, was engaged
during the year in negotiating for the acquirement of the property and in clearing the areas.
The desirability of dealing with the Falcon-court area in the same district was considered by the
Council and the vestry during the_ year, and the need of extending the area already represented was
discussed.
Moira-place and Plumber s-place, Shoreditch.—This scheme was referred to in my report of last year.
The Local Government Board inquiry was held on February 22nd, 1893. It was subsequently deemed
necessary to modify the scheme by abandoning the portion of the new road proposed to be made from
Provost-street to Britannia-street. This caused some delay, and the order finally sanctioning the scheme
as modified had not been issued at the end of the year.
Norfolk-square, Islington.—The inquiry concerning this scheme, referred to in my annual report
for 1892, was held in March, 1893, and the scheme was sanctioned in September. The vestry then
proceeded to deal with the area.
Queen Catherine-court, lAmehouse.—This area was referred to in my annual report for 1892; the
official inquiry was held on March 16th, 1893, and the scheme was sanctioned in October. The district
board then proceeded to deal with the area.
London-temice, St. George-in-the-East.—This area was also referred to in my report of last year.
The official inquiry was held on June 22nd, 1893, the order sanctioning the scheme had not been issued
at the end of the year.
The following areas were under the consideration of the Public Health Committee during
1893—
St. Pancras areas.—Representations with regard to three areas, the Somers-town area, the
Prospect-terrace and Derry-street area, and the Brantome-place area, were made by the medical officer
of health of St. Pancras under Part I. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act; the Council having
considered these representations, resolved in May, 1891, that these areas should be dealt with
under Part II. of that Act. A local inquiry was ordered, and was commenced in October, 1891, but
was adjourned to enable further consideration to be given to the matter. This inquiry was resumed on
February 16th, 1893, and continued on February 17th and 27th, and March 1st. On the 27th June,
1893, the Home Secretary's decision was received. A part of the Somers-town area (subsequently
known as the Churchway area) was to be dealt with by the Council under PartI. of the Act. Another
smaller part was to be dealt with by the vestry under Part II. of the Act, and a third part of the area
lying to the east of Chalton-street was to be dealt with by the vestry under Part II. of the Act, the
Council contributing one-third of the expense. The " Prospect-terrace and Derry-street area" and the
" Brantome-place area " were to be dealt with by the vestry under Part II. of the Act, the Council
contributing one-half the expense.
The Public Health and Housing Committee reported on October 24th that " in order to give
effect to the decision of the Home Secretary the Council's medical officer had taken, in conjunction
with the other officers, the necessary steps to prepare a scheme for the reconstruction of that part of
the area which the Home Secretary had decided should be improved by the Council alone." This
scheme provided for the displacement of 1,266 and for the re-housing of about 650 persons. The