View report page

19
IMPROVEMENTS.
The trustees of the will of Mr. Nathaniel Walker King, in whom the two
old houses at the North-West corner of George street were vested, claimed
£1000; but tho amount to be paid for the purchase and compensation was
agreed at £850. The trustees (the vendors) having no power to sell and
give discharges, the purchase-money had to be paid into court. The two
tenants were paid £5 each on giving up possession, which was obtained in
November. The tender of Mr. Crane to pay £29 for the materials of the
old houses, for pulling them down and removing the material and rubbish,
and for £13 to provide and fix the requisite hoarding, was accepted. After
the improvement was completed, there remained, between the inner edge of
the pavement and the next house, a small strip of land, varying from 10
feet to 3 feet 4 inches, and it was referred to the Works Committee to
arrange for a sale of it.
The subject of acquiring the house in Club row, at the Eastern end of
Little York street, was again considered ; but at the meeting of the 3rd of
June a proposal to acquire the house under compulsory powers was
negatived.
In October a letter came from the clerk of the Metropolitan Board of
Works, written by direction of the Works and General Purposes
Committee of that Board, asking for a reply to the enquiry previously
made—Whether the Vestry would put in force their powers for acquiring
the house ? The letter was referred to the Works Committee.
After the death of Mr. Jesse Lacey, Mr. Green, his son-in-law,
attended the Works Committee, and stated that he and Mrs. Green were
willing to sell sufficient of the ground at the north end of Hollybush
Gardens to make a thoroughfare into Jude's Place. Mr. Green promised
before the next meeting of the Committee to satisfy the clerk of the
power of Mrs. Green and himself to sell, but did not do so; and it
afterwards appeared the sale could be made only by the trustees of Mr.
Lacey's will. In September a petition was presented to the Vestry
praying that negotiations might be opened with the representatives of the
late freeholder, with a view of acquiring the small piece of ground for
making the thoroughfare ; and the subject was referred to a special
committee, consisting of the members of tho Finance and Works Committees.