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61
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACT, 1890.
During the year a considerable amount of work has been undertaken
in connection with this Act. The Bolton Court houses have
been demolished under Part II., and an insanitary area, namely, the
Aylesbury Place Area, has been dealt with under Part I. In
addition to these actions the Vestry has taken various opportunities
of expressing its views on the Housing Question in
general.
Bolton Court.—The seven houses in Bolton Court were first
represented by the late Dr. Griffith as far back as 1884 as "in a
state dangerous to health and unfit for human habitation." The
causes of the evil were stated to be three, viz. : insufficient height
of rooms on first and ground floors, defective and dilapidated condition
of premises generally, defective paving of yard and insufficiency
of water closet accommodation. The premises were
closed in and without back ventilation. In 1886 the Vestry purchased
a lease of the houses with a view to demolition.
The mode and means of dealing with these 7 houses was matter
of discussion for fifteen years, at the end of which time it was resolved
by the Vestry to commence proceedings de novo under Section
32 (2) of the Housing of the Working Classes Act in order to obtain
a closing order. The late Dr. Glaister therefore re-represented the
houses and obtained a closing order on October 3rd, 1899.
This resolution was further considered by the Vestry on 25th
January, 1900, after the usual notices had been served upon all
interested persons, when the Vestry ordered the demolition of the
said premises.
After the expiration of the necessary time provided by the Act
the Vestry directed tenders to be obtained for carrying out the
order. A tender was accepted on the 14th April, and the work of
demolition was rapidly completed.
The Aylesbury Place Area.—On December 11th. 1897, the
late Dr. Glaister made an official representation under Part I. of
the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, with respect to an