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58
MORTUARY ACCOMMODATION, &c.
In April, 1892, the Board authorised me to negociatc with
the Blackwall Railway with a view to the acquisition by the
Board of the two arches, No. 219 and 220, in Little John Street,
Ratcliff, with the land in the rear there of, adjoining that belonging
to the Hoard and utilised as a Mortuary and Disinfecting
Station. I accordingly entered into communication with the
Company, and in May reported that the Railway Company had
discontinued granting leases of the arches, hut under the circumstances,
and considering the purpose for which the arches would
be used, they were willing to let the same to the Hoard at a rent
of £55 per annum in lieu of £80, the amount originally asked
by their agent), the tenancy being determinable by either party
upon six months notice in writing being given, a condition also
being inserted in the agreement that the Company would bind
themselves not to give notice to the Hoard to quit unless the
arches referred to were bona fide required for the purposes of the
Railway, The Hoard decided to accept the tenancy upon the
terms mentioned.
I subsequently laid before the Sanitary Committee a sketch
plan showing the proposed utilisation of the arches for mortuary
and disinfecting purposes. the accommodation in the existing
mortuary (No. 218 arch) contained an area of 406 superficial
feet The proposed new mortuary would have an area of 1,044
feet, and would be divided into two compartments, one to be
used for infectious cases and the other for non-infectious cases.
In the rear there would be accommodation for post-mortem
examinations, with a communication from each mortuary. As
regards the disinfecting apparatus, the present chamber contained
an area of 477 feet, the area of the proposed new chamber
being 1,836 feet, the infected articles would be received in
Little John Street, and delivered, after disinfection, in Caroline
Street. I considered, without having made a detailed estimate,
that the cost would be about £700. I further reported that I
had been in communication with Messrs. Manlove, Alliott & Co.
as to supplying the necessary apparatus, the cost of which, complete,
would be about £350. I stated that if the proposed
works were carried out the accommodation would be ample, and
the other arch not being required could be utilised for various
pui poses, such as the stores, &c., for which the Board at that