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9
On 25th July, at a Meeting of the Metropolitan Board, a Resolution was
passed in accord with this recommendation.
"No doubt the Metropolitan Board are quite right in saying that many of
the Sanitary defects could be remedied under the Nuisances Removal Acts, and
Torrens Acts, but I contend that not only many but all could be remedied, and far
more effectually under the Artisans and Labourers Dwellings Acts, 1875-82.
"The Nuisances Removal Act is useful enough in remedying certain structural
defects, but you cannot under its provisions improve the approaches or render houses
built back to back healthy, or widen courts, or pull down and rebuild old houses,
or raise the level of an area. The Nuisances Removal Act has been in very
frequent operation in the area in question, as you will easily understand when
I tell you that during the last 3½ years more than 250 Notices to remedy Sanitary
defects have been served there, and for the most part complied with.
"I have frequently been met with the observation when speaking of the
unsanitary condition of houses and their unfitness for human habitation, "But
you possess considerable powers of closure under the 13th Section of the
Nuisances Removal Act." Theoretically we do, but practically, I am afraid our
powers in this direction arc extremely limited, at least, such has been my
experience.
"I cannot help thinking that the need of re-construction in the area must
have been very evident to the Works Committee of the Metropolitan Board,
or they would not have recommended the application of Torrens Act, and this
recommendation together with the total disregard of the statement in my
Representation that diseases indicating a low condition of health among the
inhabitants of the area were prevalent, strike me as being weak points in the
course taken by the Board. But outside these points there is the evidence
afforded by Clause 6 of the Artisans Dwellings Act, 1882, which in my opinion
points to Torrens Act as not being suitable for application in this instance.
The Clause is as follows:—
"Where an Official Representation is made to the Metropolitan Board of
Works in pursuance of the Artisans and labourers Dwellings Improvement Act,
1875, relates to not more than ten houses the Metropolitan Hoard of Works shall
not take any proceedings on such Representation, but shall direct the Officer
making the same to report the case to the Local Authority as defined by the
Artisans and Labourers Dwellings Act, 1868, and it shall be the duty of the
Local Authority to deal with such case in manner provided by the last mentioned
Act and the Acts amending the same.
"Now the unhealthy area in question contains 115 houses, and it appears to
me that by implication this section of the Act casts upon the Metropolitan Board
the duty of clearing it, and I contend that it is no answer to my Representation
under such circumstances to recommend the employment of Torrens Act for the
clearance of the area.
"In conclusion, I beg to state that in my opinion it is a matter for regret and
surprise that the Metropolitan Board do not consider the area comprised in my
Official Representation within the scope of the Artisans &c. Dwellings Acts, and
I submit that the facts and figures I have laid before you fully warrant me in
having made that Representation.
"G. A. ROGERS,
" Medical Officer of Health for the
" Limehouse District.
"October 22nd, 1884.