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summonses to be taken out for "closing orders." Closing
orders were granted by Sir Albert de Rutzen, and in a short
time this picturesque but insanitary court will be a thing of
the past.
The Nightingale Street Scheme.
The greater portion of the Nightingale Street area has
now been cleared, the general plan of the buildings to be
erected is prepared, and the work of construction will
shortly be commenced. It may be well to state that the
action of Lord Portman is taken by virtue of a "Provisional
Order," which is as much an Act of Parliament as any one
of the general Statutes.
The chief powers and duties under this Order are as
follows:—"5. The existing buildings constituting the
"Improvement area shall be taken down and removed, and
"new dwellings upon the said lands or on some part
"or parts thereof shall be erected by the Viscount Portman
"as may be determined from time to time in that behalf by
"the (London County) Council, with the approval of one of
"His Majesty's Secretaries of State. The new dwellings
"shall be constructed in such manner as to position, eleva"tion,
size, design, and extent of accommodation as the
"(London County) Council, with such approval as aforesaid,
"shall prescribe or approve, and to their satisfaction, so as
"to afford in the aggregate suitable accommodation for not
"less than five hundred and seventy-six persons of the
"working classes.
"Such dwellings shall be furnished with such water"closets,
sinks, water supply, and other proper sanitary
"arrangements as the Council shall prescribe and to their
"satisfaction. Such of the lands constituting the Improve"ment
area as shall not be required for the purpose of
"providing accommodation as aforesaid for five hundred
"and seventy-six persons of the working classes may be
"formed or laid out as an open space or recreation ground