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21
SECTION D.
HOUSING.
Substantial progress was made during the year in connection
with the quinquennial programme of action proposed
to be taken under the Housing Acts.
In my report for 1935 I referred to the special ci'rcumstances
that had necessarily delayed operations in
connection with Canbury Area "A", and mentioned that
the houses had been vacated, but not demolished, on 31st
December, 1935. No further difficulties we're encountered
and demolition of the houses in that area proceeded during
the early part of 1936. All the properties were demolished
by the owners and the Corporation did not have to
exercise any powers in that connection.
Two other Clearance Areas were represented during
1936 and were known as Canbury "B" and "C" 'respectively.
As the name suggests, the properties were situated in areas
adjacent to Canbury "A" Clearance Area and formed part
of an irregula'rly shaped piece of land situated off the
west side of Richmond Road and adjacent to the Goods
yard of the Southern Railway. The official representations
were made on 9th January, 1936, and the number of houses
included in the two proposed areas was 36. Notice of the
Council's intention to make clearance orders was given as
prescribed by the Housing Acts, and as the result of
objections being lodged by most of the owners of houses
in "B" Area, a public inquiry into the circumstances of the
area was held at the direction of the Minister of Health
on 12th May, 1936. The inquiry lasted the whole of the
day and the houses were visited on the day following by
the Inspector who conducted the inquiry. Objections were
not received in respect of Canbury "C" Area.
With one slight modification (the exclusion of one house
from Canbury "B" Area) both orders were confirmed subsequently
by the Minister, but at the same time the Minister
directed that payments should be made in respect of three
houses under the provision of Sec. 64 of the Housing Act,