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The closing orders in respect of 9-16, Montagu Mews South were made on the
ground that the premises had been constructed back-to-back in contravention of the
provisions contained in Section 43 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909.
The period between the service of the orders and the date of their becoming
operative had not expired when the year closed.
The cottages at the rear of 10, 11, and 12, Burne Street, were represented on
13th June, 1913, after several attempts had been made to induce the owner to
demolish them because they were dark, damp, and ill-ventilated, and there seemed to
be no possibility of so altering them as to produce improvement in these respects.
The making of demolition orders had not been considered at the end of the year.
Demolition Orders.—Though during the year the Public Health Committee
took into consideration the making of demolition orders with regard to 7 premises,
only one order, which was complied with, was made.
Appeals.—The actual number of appeals made against closing orders was one;
none, however, were heard during the year.
In one case the Local Government Board refused to allow the appeal, on the
ground that the person who made it had not in fact an owner's interest.
In the very considerable amount of work carried out under the Act during the
year the greatest assistance was received from the Housing Sub-Committee, who
visited all premises reported by the Medical Officer of Health, and considered all the
conditions prior to the bringing forward of the formal representation.
Their advice was of the utmost value to the Public Health Committee, as well
as the Medical Officer of Health.
The following table contains a summary of the work done to December 31st,
1913, under Sections 17 and 18 of the Act, in relation to closing and demolition orders.