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This is a step in the right direction, but does not go far enough, and
powers should certainly be obtained for preventing the practice of spitting on
pavements and footpaths.
A recommendation of the Sanitary Committee that notices to this effect
should be placed upon all lamp posts within the City was negatived by the
Court of Common Council. This was probably due to the impression that
the notice was intended to refer to the streets as well as the footways.
ARTIZANS' DWELLINGS, STONEY LANE, HOUNDSDITCH.
These buildings, erected by the late Commissioners of Sewers and opened
in January, 1885, stand upon ground formerly the site of several courts
and alleys in the Ward of Portsoken.
There are five "blocks" of dwellings, severally named King's—Queen's—
Prince's—North—and South, designed for occupation by persons of the
artizan class; some of the ground floors being let as shops. Exclusive of
the shops and cellars, they contain 539 rooms, arranged in 260 tenements,
and are occupied by 1,057 persons. Fifty-nine per cent. are adults and
forty-one per cent. children (under 16 years).
The death rate for 1903 was 15.1 per 1,000 per annum [of which 56.2
per cent. was of children under 5 years of age]. Deaths of children under
one year to 1,000 births wefe 242, as against 115 for the City generally.
The number of births was 33, viz.: 21 males and 12 females. The birth
rate, 31.2 per thousand, is the lowest recorded since 1894, and is 10.9 per
1,000 below the average for the previous five years.
In June, 1901, your Medical Officer of Health having directed attention to
the lack of bath accommodation at these dwellings, the matter was referred to
your Engineer to submit plans for this provision, and that Officer in the
following March submitted the same to the Improvements and Finance
Committee. These were subsequently approved by the Court, and the work
commenced early in 1903.
The building was opened for use on 2nd May, 1904. It is a structure of
one storey, situated on the North-East entrance to the dwellings from Harrow
Alley, having separate entrances from the yards of the dwellings. It comprises
accommodation for seven baths for women and children, with female
attendant's room and separate entrance, and four baths for males, with male
attendant's room, also with a separate entrance. The heating apparatus is
placed in the basement.
They are admirably adapted for the purpose, and will doubtless contribute
materially to the comfort and well-being of the tenants.