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the Council do apply to Parliament for an amendment of the definition af the words sewer and drain
in the Metropolis Local Management Act in the way desired by the local authorities, and that it be
referred to the Parliamentary Committee to prepare a public bill and take such other steps as may be
necessary for that purpose." A conference of local authorities, at which the Council was represented,
was subsequently held, and a bill introduced into Parliament which had not been considered by either
House when Parliament was dissolved.
Housing of the Working Classes.
During 1895 the following steps were taken under the Housing of the Working Classes Act in
respect of unhealthy areas.
(a) Scheme undertaken by the Council under Part I. of the Housing of the Working Glasses Act.
Boundary-street.—In my last annual report I referred to the fact that the greater part of the
property included in this area had come into the Council's possession before the end of 1894. In
July, 1895, the Public Health and Housing Committee reported to the Council that, of the 730 houses
originally upon the area only 78 remained in occupation, and the hope was expressed that the further
occupation of these would soon be unnecessary. In the same month the Committee reported that all
the tenements in Mount-street dwellings, which had been erected on ground cleared at the northeastern
extremity of the area, were let. Of the 54 tenants occupying the dwellings—
11 removed to the dwellings from the area.
19 „ „ ,, within 1/4 mile of the area.
6 „ „ „ „ ½ ,,
5 „ „ „ „ 1 ,,
3 „ ,, ,, ,, ,, a distance over 1 mile from the area.
During the year progress was made with the erection of a number of other blocks of tenements
on the Boundary-street area, and the Goldsmith-row cottages, erected on a site acquired in connection
with the Boundary-street scheme, were completed.
(b) Schemes undertaken by the Council with contributions by the district authority under Part II.
of the Housing of the Working Classes Act.
Mill-lane Deptford.—The acquirement of the property and clearance of the site were
proceeded with during the year, and at the end of 1895 the Council had under consideration the nature
of the buildings to be erected on the area. The scheme, as originally passed, provided for the erection
of buildings for the accommodation of not less than 570 persons of the working class in lieu of the
715 displaced from the area.
Brooke's-market, Holborn.—This area having been cleared, the Council decided to retain the land
and to itself erect dwellings upon part of it, devoting the remainder to open space. The sanction of the
Local Government Board was accordingly applied for.
Ann-street, Poplar.—The properties on this area were acquired and the land was being cleared
at the end of 1895. The question as to whether the Council should itself erect dwellings upon the
area was under consideration. The scheme provided that accommodation should be afforded for not
less than 200 persons of the working class in lieu of 261 persons displaced.
(c) Schemes undertaken by district authorities with contributions by the Council under Part II.
of the Housing of the Working Classes Act.
Green- street and Gun-street, St. George the Martyr, Southwark.—These sites were cleared by
the vestry in 1894, and the Council was then asked to purchase the sites and erect the necessary
dwellings. The Council agreed to acquire the lands under Part III. of the Housing of the Working
Classes Act, and asked the Local Government Board to make certain necessary modifications in the order
sanctioning the scheme. The Board's order permitting the modifications was issued on January 13th,
1896.
Moira-place and Plumbers-place, Shoreditch.—This scheme is being carried out by the Shoreditch
Vestry.
Norfolk-square, Islington.—The Vestry of Islington cleared the land and the question as to the
use to be made of the cleared site was under consideration.
London-terrace, St. George-in-the-East.—This scheme is being carried out by the Vestry of
St. George-in-the-East.
During the year 1895, the question as to dealing with the following areas among others was
under consideration:—
Churchway, Somers-town, St. Pancras.—In my last annual report reference was made to the
fact that the Public Health and Housing Committee had reported that Lady Henry Somerset, the
freeholder of a portion of this area, had indicated her willingness to co-operate with the Council,
and that the Committee hoped before very long to be in a position to submit a scheme which would
meet with the Council's approval. A scheme was submitted which provided for the re-housing on the
cleared area of 568 persons, the widening of Wellesley-street and of Churchway between Drummondstreet
and Grafton-place to 40 feet, and the closing of the portion of Churchway between Graftonplace
and Euston-road. On October 15th, 1895, the requisite resolution under section 4 of the
Housing of the Working Classes Act was passed by the Council, and the Committee was instructed
to complete the scheme and to take all necessary steps for depositing and obtaining confirmation
thereof.
Clare-market, Strand.—In November, 1894, the medical officer of health of the Strand district
made a representation to the Council under Part I. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, with
respect to an area in his district. His representation was considered by the Public Health and Housing
Committee, which, on October 8th, 1895, presented to the Council the following report—
For some years past our attention has from time to time been called to the insanitary condition of
an area lying immediately north of the Strand, adjoining Clare-market and the southern end of Drury-lane.