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14
It has been the practice to refer, in these reports, to the
progress made under the Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Acts.
Last year I alluded to the result of your personal application to
the Metropolitan Board of Works, regarding the " Bell Lane
Scheme," recalling the fact that the first representation under the
Act was made in 1877. Unfortunately matters yet remain in
statu quo, so far as any advance in carrying out this scheme is
concerned, but I cannot say the same regarding the property
comprised within the area, for although your inspectors are
constantly vigilant, and much special important work has been
executed there, still the general condition of the area is of course
unimproved, and the words which your late Medical Officer used
in condemning it, might now be quoted with even greater force.
An additional reason for including this scheme in a Bill may now
be advanced to the Metropolitan Board of Works, for inasmuch as
many new buildings have been recently provided in the District,
some of which are inhabited, and many more are almost ready for
occupation, at least no difficulty on the score of accommodation
would, therefore, be incurred by causing the present tenants of the
incriminated area to substitute the new and improved dwellings
for their present ill-conditioned rooms. And here, gentlemen,
permit me, by the courtesy of your Surveyor, to quote a few details
connected with the most important sanitary work, which, probably,
has been executed within the District during the history of your
Board. I allude to the "Destructor," which was opened officially
by Robert Gladding, Esq. (chairman to your Board), in August last.
Mr. William la Riviere, under whose supervision the works were
carried out, describes the structures which are above ground in
the following memorandum :—
Memorandum, re Description and Construction Destructor Works,
Wentworth Street, Whitechapel.
W. La Riviere,
Architect and Surveyor.
"The level of the site is in two gradients, one up to the top of
"destructor furnaces, the other down to the stoke holes.
"The carts of refuse ascend the high level, and discharge into
"the furnaces, and the residium of clinker is taken out at the
"lower level and carted away.