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89
the cul-de-sacs, passages and narrow streets existing in
the area, and that any action taken by the Council under
the Act of 1909 with regard to separate houses could not
procure such permanent and satisfactory results as
were necessary to ameliorate the unhealthy conditions
obtaining in the area.
Mr. Darby (Borough Surveyor) proved the width of
the several streets, courts, alleys and passages in the
area and produced a plan of the area, which he had
prepared, with such widths marked thereon. Mr. Parby
also gave evidence rebutting a suggestion that the
Council had neglected to avail itself of an opportunity
for the re-development of a portion of the area in the
neighbourhood of Pereira Street, and stated the reasons
why the Borough Council could not be recommended to
adopt suggestions which had been made on behalf of
Messrs. Mann Grossman & Paulin, Ltd.
Mr. Richards produced a statement showing that of
the 528 houses or tenements in the area only 21 houses
or tenements were vacant at the date of the Inquiry, the
percentage of empty houses being only four per cent. of
the total number ot houses and tenements within the area.
In conclusion the Town Clerk commented upon the
evidence which had been adduced before the Inspector
and strongly urged the necessity for drastic action being
taken to remedy the unhealthy conditions prevailing for
so long a period in the Brady Street area. The narrowness
of the streets, the closeness of the houses and the
generally defective planning of the whole area rendered
it impossible to effect any satisfactory or permanent
benefit by the closing and demolition of separate houses
under the provisions of the Housing, Town Planning, etc.
Act, 1909; and as the result of the very careful consideration
which the Borough Council had given to all the aspects