View report page

69
Street and Rupert Street (extension) by arrangement with the
Commissioners of Her Majesty's Woods, Forests, and Land
Revenues, the freeholders of the property; and it appeared to the
Vestry that a large portion, if not the whole of the site cleared for
the improvement, might be utilised to the greatest advantage by
the erection of artizans' dwellings thereon, either in separate blocks
or over business premises. Representations were accordingly made
to the Commissioners of the importance of providing this class of
accommodation for the benefit of those who are employed in working
for west-end houses, and by the nature of their employment are
compelled to reside within easy reach of their work. It is clear
that if provision is not made for this class overcrowding must
result, and the Vestry therefore received with much pleasure an
assurance from the Commissioners that the importance of the
subject had not been overlooked, and that although the question is
surrounded by difficulty, arrangements were in progress which it
was hoped would meet the requirements of the locality in the
manner indicated. The Vestry will continue to give careful consideration
to the utilisation of this site.
Closely allied to the question of artizans' dwellings are those of
overcrowding and underground dwellings. Both these matters
have received constant attention during the year, and have formed
the subject of many notices issued by the Sanitary Officers, and in
one or two cases of legal proceedings. While it is desirable to
prevent, as far as possible, individual instances of hardship in the
case of large families supported on small means, the fact must not
be overlooked that the interests of the community at large and of
the younger members of such families in particular demand an
efficient remedy against overcrowding, and the occupation of
unsuitable dwellings. But it is more difficult to find and apply
a remedy which shall be universally applicable, than to realise the
unsatisfactory state of affairs which now too often exists. At
present the law permits a cellar (otherwise prohibited) to be occupied
as a dwelling, if it is not "separately" so occupied; but even if
the occupation of such a room were prohibited under any