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for the young, if the next generation is to retain its vitality. A small space in the
centre of a crowded neighbourhood, is of greater utility and benefit, than a larger
space at a distance. But an available open space even if situated at a distance is
better than no space at all, and your Vestry is alive to the health of the parishioners
in endeavouring fo repair the groundlost in by-gone years, by the prospect of securing
Parliament Fields to the Public, and especially to the Public of St. Pancras.
At present the public open spaces are as follows:—
Regent's Park
Primrose Hill
Parliament Fields, not yet acquired
St. Pancras Gardens, Pancras Road
St. George's Burial Grounds
St. Andrew's Burial Ground
St. Martin's ,, ,, not yet acquired
Whitfield „ „ „ „
Obstructed Dwellings separately or collectively may exist in a district which
otherwise may be blessed with light and airy surroundings. Would that this had
been borne in mind before the airy surroundings had disappeared, and the curtilages
been allowed to be cut off! It is well to remember that as the larger open spaces
are situated to the West and to the North of the Parish, the South and East, or
Gray's Inn Lane sub-district, claims most attention, and the more so as it has been
shown that the greatest density and the greatest mortality amongst young life
occurs in this sub-district. Obstructed dwellings may be placed in three
classes:
1.— Cellar Dwellings, obstructed principally from above.
2.—Back to back Dwellings, obstructed from behind, and when situated in a
narrow passage from before also.
3.—Enclosed Dwellings, obstructed on all sides, of which Brunswick Grove is a
dire example.
It is easier to prevent the mistake of the present by the retention of open fields,
than to repair the errors of a past generation by the reconstruction of areas such as
exist in the Somers Town, and the Gray's Inn Lane sub-districts, and especially
around Cromer Street.
During the year 241 Cellar Dwellings were reported by your Inspectors, and
visited by your Sanitary Committee and Medical Officer, of which 109 were ordered
to be closed or amended, the principal offender being Little Albany Street. When it
is remembered that the occupation as dwellings of bad examples of these kitchens
or cellars is not only injurious to the inmates themselves, but also frequently
deprives the other tenants in the house of the use of the basement, for washing and
other purposes, the evil can be seen to be of widespreading effect, due to deprivation
by the owner. It is therefore no hardship to compel the kitchen to revert to its
proper or cognate usages, unless it is rendered truly fit for a dwelling place. The
possession of two excellent sets of Baths and Wash-houses by the Parish, one
central and the other south-west, can be no justification for this course of deprivation
or the remedy would be worse than the disease.