View report page

37
hopelessly insanitary property, such as Le Grand Place,
Queen's Place, Isabella Row, etc., or the rebuilding of
unsuitable or worn-out houses, such as those in Courtenay
Street, etc.
It will be seen from the above that I am not in favour of a
large scheme being taken in hand in Lambeth, but prefer to
advise the Vestry to continue the policy that has been
adopted during the last few years with (what I think I am
justified in stating) very satisfactory results, viz., constantly
inspecting the houses occupied by the working classes, and
keeping them up to fair sanitary conditions. There is, however,
a small area—about a quarter of an acre—situated in
the Lambeth Walk, and between that thoroughfare and
Topaz Street, which might, with advantage, be taken over
as a small open space or playground for children. The area
is now practically vacant, the twenty-seven houses which I
condemned on December 12th, 1895, having been closed, and
since then demolished, and the displaced tenants (only thirtyseven
in number) housed elsewhere. I have previously
reported on this area (viz., as far back as October 15th, 1896),
and the subject has not yet been finally voted upon by the
Vestry (vide Minutes, November 11th, 1897, and March 10th,
1898), who, I hope, will see their way to carry out my suggestions,
either alone, or in conjunction with the London
County Council. The acquisition of a few more neighbouring
houses (which, however, I am unable to condemn as unfit for
habitation) would increase the site, and give an entrance in
a main street (Topaz Street), thereby enabling a scheme for
the erection of a block of Artisans' Dwellings to be carried
out, if such a scheme were preferred Personally, I am of
opinion, however, that the provision of an extra open space
(small though it be), or playground for children, in what is a
particularly crowded and congested area, would be of more
permanent utility. The Vestry has been memorialised by
the inhabitants of the district, asking for this site to be taken
over as an open space, and in such a case local feeling cannot
be disregarded.
Joseph Priestley.
December 11th, 1899.