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Churchway, St. Pancras, scheme.—Similar inquiry as to the scheme for this area was held at
the St. Pancras Vestry Hall, and there was like delay in the receipt of the confirming Order.
Schemes undertaken by the Council with contributions by district authorities.
Brooke's-market, Holborn.—In July the Council approved plans, estimates, &c., for the erection
of dwellings to accommodate 60 persons in self-contained tenements on this area, and, in October, for
the laying out of the rest of the site as an open space, the necessary modifying Order of the Local
Government Board having been received.
Mill-lane, Deptford.—The original scheme provided for the erection of block dwellings, and a
common lodging-house to accommodate 570 persons on this area. On the representation of the district
authority asking that cottages should be erected instead of block dwellings, the Council in March
resolved to apply to the Local Government Board for an order modifying the scheme so as to reduce
the number to be accommodated to not less than 300. In November the Housing of the Working
Classes Committee reported that the houses on the area had been demolished, and that the widening of
Mill-lane was in hand.
Ann-street, Poplar.—In March the Council resolved to sell this site to the East End Dwellings
Company for the erection of dwellings, the plans to be approved by the Council.
Green-street and Gun-street, Southwark.—In March the Council approved plans, estimates, &c.,
for the erection of buildings to accommodate in self-contained tenements 156 persons and 264 persons
on these sites, respectively.
Falcon-court. Southwark.—With a view to providing accommodation for the persons to be
displaced by this scheme, the Council in February resolved to purchase the lessee's interest in Gardenrow,
Borough, and in March to purchase a site in the Borough-road. In February and March the
necessary local inquiries under Part III. of the Act were held by Mr. Stewart, on behalf of the Home
Secretary. In July the Council appointed an architect to design plans. In October the Housing of
the Working Classes Committee reported to the Council that the bill confirming the provisional order
prepared by the Home Secretary had not been introduced into Parliament in 1896, and that the
acquisition of the Garden-row site would have to be abandoned. An alternative site was sought, and
in November the Council adopted the recommendation of the Committee to purchase a site in Greenstreet.
The local inquiry in connection with the Falcon-court area was held by an officer appointed
by the Local Government Board in April, but the order confirming the scheme was not received during
the year.
Schemes undertaken by district authorities with contributions by the Council.
King John's-court, Limehouse.— In May the Council passed a resolution for the contribution of
one-half the cost of the scheme for improving this area. The contribution of the Council was a sum
not exceeding £8,150.
Queen Catherine-cotirt, Limehouse.—In October the Council passed a resolution for the
contribution of a sum not exceeding £3,200, for the improvement of this area, this sum being half the
cost.
London-terrace, St. George-in-the-East.—In November the Committee reported that the estimate
of the net cost of this scheme was £3,200 and the Council passed a resolution for the contribution of
one-half the amount.
Norfolk-square, Islington.—In November the Committee reported that they approved the
application of the Islington vestry that the whole of this site should be devoted to open space.
Moira-place and Plumber's-place, Shoreditch.—In March the Council passed a resolution for the
contribution of £27,500, being half the cost of this scheme.
Brantome-place and Prospect-terrace, St. Pancras.—The medical officer of health of St. Pancras
reports that these schemes have been sealed by the vestry of St. Pancras, that notices have been served
on the owners and petitions prepared and lodged with the Local Government Board.
The local inquiries were held at the Vestry Hall, St. Pancras, in March, 1897.
Area east of Chalton-street, St. Pancras.—The medical officer of health of St. Pancras reports
that this scheme has been sealed and the valuers instructed to make a valuation of the property.
Alleged insanitary area in Westminster.
In 1896 I received a complaint from ratepayers in Westminster, requiring me to make a representation
to the Council as to an area and certain houses in that district. The action taken thereon
is shown in the following report made by the Housing of the Working Classes Committee to the
Council in November—
On the 5th ultimo a complaint, duly signed by 12 ratepayers of the parish of St. Margaret and
St. John, Westminster, was made to the Council's medical officer of health under sec. 5 (2) of the Housing of
the Working Classes Act, 1890, with respect to an alleged unhealthy area in the parish. The area
referred to was that known as the Lewisham-street area, also the house No. 16, Dacre-street, and Abbeybuildings.
In accordance with the provisions of the section above mentioned, the medical officer has made to
us a representation of his opinion that all the houses referred to do not constitute an unhealthy area
within the meaning of the Act, but that the property on the north side of Lewisham-street comprising
houses less than ten in number, do constitute such an area. The Act provides that where an official
representation relates to not more than ten houses, the Council " shall not take any proceedings on such
representation, but shall direct the medical officer of health making the same to represent the case to the
local authority under Part II. of this Act, and it shall be the duty of the local authority to deal with such
case in manner provided by that part of this Act." We have accordingly instructed the medical officer to
bring the matter to the notice of the local authority. We may mention that this is the first instance of a
complaint of inhabitants as provided in section 5 (2) being made the basis of a representation to the
Council.