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10
Several schemes for the improvement of this District, under the
Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Acts, have, since 1875, been
submitted by this Board to the Metropolitan Board of Works, and
have resulted in the removal of extensive areas of uninhabitable
houses, and in the present or prospective provision of improved
dwellings for the poor. While, however, expressing my great satisfaction
that so much in the way of improvement has been adopted by
the Metropolitan Board, it is matter for regret on my part that the
Board has omitted to take into their consideration the Great Pearl
Street Scheme; but I am not without hope that it will yet receive that
attention which it certainly deserves.
The area contains 8650 square yards, and comprises courts and
houses of a very unhealthy character, and has a population of about
1050. The death-rate is 33.3 per 1000, while, during the same period,
the death-rate for the whole District was 26.4 per 1000. According
to the evidence of Dr. Swyer, the Medical Officer of the Union, who
had the superintendence of that portion of the Parish of Spitalfields,
the diseases which prevailed among the children living in that
locality were of a very low type, such as scrofula and mesenteric
disease.
The names of the localities in this unhealthy distridt are Great
Pearl Street, Little Pearl Street, Vine Court, Vine Yard, Crown
Court, New Court, Wilk Court, Half Wilk Court, Diamond Court,
and a portion of Grey Eagle Street.
Sanitary Works Performed during the Quarter
ended 30th September, 1883.