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163
"The conclusion which your Committee think should be come to is,
to treat reconstruction schemes for insanitary areas in a similar manner
to street improvements. The practice which prevailed with the late
Board, in dealing with street improvements of the smaller kind was,
wherever the improvement was thought likely to be of such general
benefit as to justify the Board in bearing any part of the cost, to
contribute a part—generally one-half—of the nett cost. The Council
has followed in the same course, varying, however, its contributions
from one-fourth to one-half. Something over a million has been
contributed since 1856 in aid of local improvements. In 1888 over
£57,000 was so contributed.
"A similar yearly contribution in aid of reconstruction schemes,
under Part 2, would effect much in a few years to dispose of the worst
insanitary areas in the Metropolis, and your Committee submit that, if
the recommendations which they append be adopted, it will serve as an
immediate encouragement to the Vestries and District Boards to submit
for the consideration of the Council, schemes for dealing with insanitary
areas in their districts.
"Under section 46 of the Act of 1890, Vestries and District Boards
are specially authorised to borrow sums required for purchase-money,
or compensation, payable under Part 2 of the Act, and the Council is
also specially authorised to lend. It follows that the Council is now in
a legal position to lend the District Authorities expenses incurred by
them in relation to reconstruction schemes, and this fact should greatly
facilitate the carrying out of such schemes.
"The recommendations your Committee make are:—
"'(1) That the Council in all cases—when satisfied upon reports made by
the Housing of the Working Classes Committee, that a scheme
proposed by resolution of a Vestry or District Board is one
which it is proper should be dealt with under Part 2 of the
Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, and be contributed
to by the Council—and subject to the necessary estimate to be
submitted to the Finance Committee, do contribute from onefourth
to one-half, according to the circumstances of each case,
of the nett cost of carrying into effect such scheme.
(2) That the total expenditure sanctioned on the part of the Council by
way of contribution for the year ending 31st December next,
be limited to the sum of £50,000.
"'(3) That the Finance Committee be instructed to consider all applications
made to the Council by District Authorities, for loans to
meet expenses incurred in carrying out schemes under Part 2 of
the Act, 1890, with a view to loans being made for this purpose,
as authorised by section 46."'
G 2