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King) Street, Drury Lane, which required structural alterations or
improvements. Some of the owners have complied with the orders,
but others have failed to do so, and steps have in consequence been
taken for shutting up the premises under the powers contained in
the Act.
A Bill to amend this statute is now before the House of Commons,
promoted by the Member who procured that of 1868 to be passed ;
the scope of such amendments being to provide compensation to
owners whose premises should be ordered to be pulled down, and
substituting the Metropolitan Board of Works for the Vestries and
District Boards as the Local Authority. The Board petitioned
against the Bill on the latter ground, and the objectionable clause
was altered accordingly. The Bill is under consideration in the
House of Commons at the present time.
Artizans and Labourers Dwellings Improvement Act, 1875.
GREAT WILD STREET SCHEME.
This Scheme is progressing; the value of the several premises to
be taken under the Act have been ascertained, and the purchase of
the same by the Metropolitan Board of Works is (it is reported)
rapidly proceeding.
LITTLE CORAM STREET SCHEME.
This Scheme, the object of which was the removal of the several
buildings forming Tavistock Mews, Abbey Place, Little Coram
Street, Marchmont Place and Russell Place, comprising many unhealthy
dwellings and the erection of suitable dwellings, was strenuously
contested before the Officer appointed by the Secretary of
State, and resulted in Tavistock Mews, the north end of Abbey
Place and the west side of Little Coram Street being excluded,
subject to certain conditions under which the freeholder of these
sites is to provide in the vicinity an eligible site immediately available
for a building capable of providing accommodation for 118
persons of the working class.
COAL YARD AND GOLDSMITH'S ALLEY
IMPROVEMENT.
This Improvement has, since the last Report, been further proceeded
with; the large shed and premises forming a considerable portion of
the proposed new street has been purchased and paid for and
removed; the only remaining property to be dealt with is a plot of
land belonging to the Guardians of the Poor, the conveyance of
which is now before the Local Government Board for approval.
PHCENIX STREET.
This street, which connects Bloomsbury and Dyott Streets, and
has for several years been entirely closed at the request of the