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6
During the year under consideration good progress has been made
with the rebuilding on the Clandon Estate area. There are still portions
of the estate, many acres in extent, which have simply been cleared of
the old houses and are awaiting building operations. The houses already
built comprise many different types. They are all well built, and appear
to be in every way suitable for the class of persons about to occupy them.
The rent which is reasonable for the accommodation provided, is beyond
the capacity of the "unskilled" portion of the population to pay. The
local management of the estate has been wisely placed in the hands of
Miss Octavia Hill and her staff of ladies. This is not the only property
similarly administered in the Borough, and I am able to say with the
best results. The letting of property and the economic repairing of it
need constant and close attention in this district if the homes of the
people are to be kept clean and satisfactory. In St. Paul's Ward smallclass
property of two floors has been extensively renewed. Much of the
house property in the more residential part of the Borough which used to,
be let to single tenants, is now let out in floors, a family to a floor. This
kind of occupation, where the only supply of water is in the basement,
hardly tends to the well-being and cleanliness of the family, especially
where the cooking and other domestic matters have to be carried on in
the tenement. We have been able during the year to get a large number
of these houses provided with a water supply and a sink on each floor,
which is much appreciated by the tenants. Within the last few years it
is easy to see what a great change for the better has taken place in many
parts of our neighbourhood by the clearing away of rookeries and slums
of evil repute. Although much has been done we still have areas of a
most insanitary character, notably that in connection with Tabard Street.
I should be sorry to see it burned down or shaken by a small earthquake,
but I am sure it requires something of a drastic nature to cure it of its
many diseases.
Much attention has been given in the year to the sampling of
imported food stuffs the result of which can be seen by a reference to the
tables in the report.