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area which lies between Bell-lane and Sandy's-row. We have been in communication with Sir
Algernon Osborn, the freeholder of the Osborn estate, which includes the area above mentioned, and he
is prepared to co-operate with the Council in improving and developing his estate, subject to the Council
agreeing to sell for a reasonable sum the frontages abutting on Sandy's-row, and assisting to expedite
the formation of the new roads and the closing of the several courts and alleys. It is proposed to close
all existing courts and alleys, and to form a 40 feet street from Wentworth-street parallel to Sandy's-row
and Bell-lane, continuing the street round Tripe-yard into Sandy's-row, and to widen Cobb's-yard into a
40| feet street. Upon the formation of the roads, the land remaining will be utilised for shops and
domestic dwellings. The clearance of most of the properties can be effected at once, but a small portion
is held on leases which expire in 1922 and 1930. Sir A. Osborn's agents hope to be able to come to terms
with the tenants of these properties for a surrender of their interests before the expiry of their leases.
In the event, however, of an arrangement not being come to on this point, we propose that the Council
should co-operate with Sir A. Osborn by putting in force the provisions of the Housing of the Working
Classes Act, 1890, with a view to acquiring compulsorily such of the leasehold interests as he may be
unable to obtain possession of within a reasonable time, the Council being reimbursed the cost of such
acquisition. We have been in communication with the Corporate Property Committee with regard to
the disposal of the frontages on Sandy's-row, and have ascertained that they are prepared to recommend
the Council to sell the whole of the surplus land on the east side of Sandy's-row at 10s. per square foot,
and that they will report to this effect at the same time that this report is made. We are informed that
a slightly higher price might be realised for some of the land by dealing with it in separate plots than by
selling it at once for the purposes of the suggested scheme, but we are of opinion that the Council would
be well advised to sell the land in this way rather than to incur unaided the far heavier expenditure of
dealing with the area under a schema. We desire to recogaise the readiness which Sir A. Osborn has
shown in meeting our views with regard to this area, which has had our very anxious consideration for
some considerable time. We recommend—
That, subject to an agreement to be prepared by the solicitor, the Council do approve of the
scheme put forward on behalf of Sir Algernon Osborn, and do authorise the Committee to take such
steps as may be necessary to carry such scheme into effect, including the preparation of a scheme
under the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.
In July the Committee informed the Council that for that year they did not find it necessary to
recommend the adoption of a scheme in respect of that area.
Proceedings in respect of houses represented as unfit for human habitation.