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84
would be to improve the lighting and ventilation of the
remaining houses cannot be denied, but the expense would
be great and the result disproportionate. The people who
would reap the greatest benefit would be the landlords ;
those whose houses were purchased would get this in
cash and the others in " betterment," for the remaining
property would certainly increase both in letting and
selling value Moreover, if the owners elected to
demolish, there is nothing in the London Building Acts
to prevent their rebuilding on the old foundations and
thus perpetuating the present evil and unhealthy
conditions.
With all due deference to the authors of this scheme
I can only characterise the proposal as childish. It is
not very likely that a Borough Council, composed of
business men, could be induced to spend a large sum of
money upon what is, at the best, a maimed and incomplete
scheme, in order to relieve the proper Housing Authority
of the cost of doing its duty.
The selection of Inspector Richards as the Officer
specially designated to carry out the provisions of this
Act has been a distinct success, and he has fully justified
the confidence placed in him. He most carefully
collected all the facts upon which the statistics for my
formal representation were calculated.
In conclusion, I beg to tender to the Members of
the Public Health Committee my grateful thanks for
their continued support, and to my colleagues for their
assistance in the performance of my duties.
I have the honour to be,
Sir and Gentlemen,
Your very obedient servant,
GEORGE PADDOCK BATE.