View report page

89
The specification and the quantities were prepared. These were
fully considered and revised, and in March, 1907, tenders were
advertised for.
(c) Prospect Terrace Area.—According to instruction the Chief Clerk
prepared a complete History of the Prospect Terrace Roadway, and
this was printed and presented to the Borough Council and appeared
in the Minutes of the 7tli March, 1906, p. 327-354, Vol. II.
Negotiations for purchase continued, and on 11th July the Council
decided to accept the offer of the Rectors of St. George-the-Martyr
and St. George, Bloomsbury, to sell the land forming the roadway
of Prospect Terrace for £1,600, with Solicitor's charges, £150, and
Surveyor's fees not exceeding 42 guineas.
With regard to the houses upon the Area, during 1905 they were repeatedly
repaired and cleansed, and the rents were lowered, but their condition was
such that on 25th April, 1906, the Borough Council decided that one-sixth of
the tenants on the Area be given notice to quit in each of three successive
weeks. In deference to the request of a deputation the tenants were allowed
an extension of time, but the condition of the houses became such, that on the
13th June the Borough Council decided that the remaining tenants of
Prospect Terrace, Derry Street, and Wellington Square should be required to
remove before the end of July, and on the 25th July, 1906, the Council gave
instructions to the Borough Engineer to take the necessary steps to demolish
the houses with all possible expedition.
LITTLE CLARENDON STREET.
The Local Government Board asked to be furnished with information as to
the condition of Little Clarendon Street, Somers Town, and they were
acquainted by letter accordingly as follows:—
"Hitherto Little Clarendon Street has been dealt with by the Borough
"Council under the Public Health (London) Act. All the houses in
" the street are registered under the By-laws for houses let in
"lodgings or occupied by members of more than one family, under
" which By-Laws they are duly inspected. A large number of
"notices arc being served from time to time requiring the owners to
" maintain the property in a sanitary condition. The question of
"dealing with the property under the Housing of the Working
" Classes Acts has not been brought under the consideration of the
" Local Authority."
In reply to this letter a further communication was received from the Local
Government Board, stating that they think that the question of dealing with
the property under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts should be
brought under the consideration of the Borough Council, and requesting that
this be done, and that the Medical Officer of Health be instructed to report
upon the subject, and also asking that they may receive a copy of such report.
The Medical Officer of Health was instructed to report on the condition of
the houses in Little Clarendon Street, and presented the following report
accordingly:—