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116
"Gipsies and Tent Dwellers.
"During the year great difficulty has been experienced in
keeping the land clear of Squatters and Tent-dwellers. Our
District being in such close proximity to London, suits their
convenience and pleasure, and in consequence we are frequently
called upon to use compulsory measures to remove
them, a work both dangerous and unpleasant. It often
happens that we remove them by force from the Northern
portion of the District, only to find that they wander a short
distance away, and return at night to the South of the District,
and vice versa."
For forty years this same problem has been with East Ham,
but of latter years it has assumed greater proportions. Just after
the appointment of the writer in 1935, a survey of the encampment
revealed nearly 200 caravans and a population of 550 persons. The
circumstances of the immediate locality in which the caravans
were situate were grossly insanitary. A plan of clearance of the
area was evolved, and clearance began substantially to materialise
during the year 1937. In 1936 one yard of 10 vans and an area
including 5 vans were declared clearance areas under the Housing
Acts, and the orders subsequently confirmed. Early in 1937
in consequnce of proceedings for contravention of the Bye Laws
relating to Tents, Vans and Sheds, prohibition orders were made
by the Magistrate and a further yard of 10 vans cleared. In
September, 1937, five further clearance areas were declared,
involving 17 enclosures and 55 caravans and huts.
Later in the year a number of proceedings were instituted
for allowing lands to be used for camping purposes without the
appropriate licences being granted by the Corporation, and many
van dwellers removed in consequence.
At the 31st December, 1937, 91 vans and huts remained, or
the encampment had been reduced by one-half since 1935. Proceedings
in respect of many of those remaining had been adjourned
to early in 1938, when further removals took place, and at the
time of the preparation of this report only 20 remained. This
ghastly encampment has been suffered all too long, and its passing
will enable the proper development of this district of the
Borough.