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Bishop's Court.—The condition of this court has been greatly
improved during the last few years. When I condemned it in
1875, the Board of Works did not make a scheme. I think the
Board of Works might very well be called upon now to take this
court in hand.
Now, although I cordially agree with the suggestion of the
Committee in regard to removing the obstructive buildings which
prevent a free circulation of air, yet I can hardly feel warranted
in declaring these courts to be in such condition dangerous to
health as to be unfit for habitation.
Moreover, the Committee appears to me to have entirely overlooked
the consequence of courts being pulled down, and the
manner in which they are rebuilt. Consider the instances of
Jerusalem Court, Field Place (Frye's Buildings), James' Gardens,
and the back tenements of Corporation Buildings. Here the
new structures are taller, and more obstructive to light and air
than they were before. If the obstructive houses can be pulled
down and not re-built, the advantage would be great indeed.
The courts will be considerably improved under the new regulations
; the constant water supply has also proved of advantage.
In the eight courts examined by the Committee, only one case of
infectious disease occurred during the past year, viz., of typhoid
fever in Bishop's Court.
The Sanitary Committee will recollect that in 1884 I condemned
11 courts in the parish under Torrens' Act. The course of the
Act was followed, they were referred to the Surveyor, who
reported what was requisite for their improvement. Various
improvements were made, and one only was ordered to be closed,
viz., Bolton Court. The Visiting Committee did not consider the
others were sufficiently badly constructed as to authorize demolition
; and one or two of these were in a far worse state than any
of those condemned by the Special Committee.
I have the honour to remain,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
J. W. GRIFFITH, M.D.
June 15 th, 1888.