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pelled to leave their dwellings for t.he purpose of enabling such
dwellings to be disinfected by the Sanitary Authority has from time
to time occupied the attention of the Vestry since the passing of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1891, but on the 7th April, 1896, a
resolution was passed directing advertisements to be issued in various
newspapers for tenders for the erection of such a building in accordance
with the plans prepared by the Surveyor. In response to the
advertisement however only one tender was received, and the matter
was referred back to a Special Joint Committee for further consideration.
Advertisements were again issued for tenders and on the 16th
June, the tender of Mr. J. Carmichael, was accepted for the work of
erecting the Reception House at the sum of £1,650.
Application was then made to the London Council for a loan of
that amount, but it was found that no statutory authority existed
enabling them to sanction a loan of this nature. The County Council
accordingly introduced into their General Powers Bill, section 32,
providing that the erection of a building of this nature should form
one of the purposes for which the Vestry might borrow under the
provisions of section 105 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891.
The Act was passed immediately before the County Council's annual
recess. It was necessary under the section for the Vestry to obtain
the sanction of the Local Government Board, and a resolution directing
application to be made to the board was passed on the 8th
September, 1896. The Medical Inspector of the Board held a Public
Enquiry at the Vestry Hall in reference to the application, on the
16th December, 1896, when considerable opposition was offered by
several prominent ratepayers in the Parish and members of the Vestry.
The Board however sanctioned the loan on the 15th day of February,
1897. The amount is repayable in 30 years.
Owing to the length of time occupied in obtaining the sanction
to the borrowing of the loan, it became necessary to apply to the
Bridge House Estates Committee of the City Corporation, for an
extension of the time within which buildings might be erected on the
land in King James Street. The Committee very readily extended
the time for a further period of 12 months. When the contractor
(Mr. Carmichael), was however, asked to proceed with his tender for