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Westminster Buildings close by. In the latter the rents of the rooms
are no higher—in many instances less than in Chadwick and Great
Peter Streets, yet the death-rate averages only 14.7 for the last seven
years. The fact rather indicates that if the houses were properly let
and efficient control exercised, these streets might show equally good
results. I have been informed that ultimately the whole of this block
may be replaced by better-class dwellings by private enterprise, but if
this is not likely to occur at an early date, the Council might consider
the desirability of dealing with the area under Part 3 of the Housing of
the Working Classes Act, either by building thereon, or by altering
and improving existing buildings (Sec. 59).
District No. 4 embraces the block of property between the south side
of Horseferry Road and the north side of Page Street from the River
to Regency Street. At the census in 1901 there were 735 inhabitants.
With the exception of Regency and Vincent Houses, the dwellinghouses
in this district are mostly of two and three storeys, old, but
apparently in fair condition. There are also a few shops, some works
and offices. The social status of the inhabitants appears to be that of
the respectable working classes, aud there is some letting of apartments.
The mortality rates in the four years 1901-4 were as follows:—21.7,
28.5, 19, and 23.1, giving an average of 231.
Presuming that the population has been maintained, the rates for
1905-6-7 show a reduction to 20.7. Johnson Street and Horseferry
Road contribute chiefly to the number of deaths. There has not been
much infectious disease in these streets, but deaths from consumption
are rather high in Johnson Street. Of 41 deaths in this street 9 were
from consumption, 5 from alcoholism, and 9 were children under 1 year
of age. The high proportion of deaths from drink indicates pretty
clearly what kind of houses there must be in this street, and why the
deaths are numerous.
District No. 8 adjoins No. 4 and lies on the south side of Page Street,
between it and the Millbank Estate, but does not extend as far as
Regency Street. The population at the census was 1,904 and there
does not appear to have been any change. There are no block dwellings
within this district, and with the exception of some good houses in
Grosvenor Road the whole of the property consists of two and threestorey
dwellings occupied by artisans of a respectable type. Some of
the houses are rather old, as in Earl Street and Hudson's Terrace.
There are no courts or alleys. The average death rate for the seven
years is 18 per 1,000, but there is a tendency to improve; the first four
years had an average of 19, the last three of 16 6.