View report page

29
Plans and specifications were also submitted by the Surveyor, and
the Committee resolved that the suggestions contained in the Coroner's
letter be carried out.
Norfolk Square Area.
The insanitary condition of this area was discussed on various
occasions by the Sanitary Committee, who for one reason or another
wavered as to the course to be pursued in remedying the evils complained
of by that locality. At one time it was thought possible to
remedy the defects in the different houses, and by this means to place
them in a condition fit for human habitation. Some differences of
opinion existed among the members of the Committee with respect to
the possibility of doing anything with them under the "Housing of the
Working Classes Act, 1890," and on inspecting the various premises
this view was strengthened, for the Committee (16th June) ordered
notices to be served on the owners of certain houses to lime-wash and
repair the premises, also to repair the water waste preventers, and to
provide a more efficient water supply to the closets. These notices
were to have been served under the "Nuisance Removal Act." This
view was not, however, shared by the London County Council, for at
the meeting of the Committee held 5th October, a letter was read from
that body stating that "the Housing of the Working Classes Committee
"of the Council, having again inspected the area referred to, is of
"opinion that nothing short of a scheme for the arrangement and
"re-construction of the area under Section 39 (1) (b) of the 'Housing
"of the Working Classes Act, 1890' will be an effectual remedy for
"the evils within it." This view of the matter on mature consideration
met with the support of the Sanitary Committee, and on 19th October,
it passed a resolution authorising a scheme to be prepared.
This course was undoubtedly the proper one; and it is doubtful
if at any time any other scheme would have been entertained if it were
not for the cost. On this subject, however, the minds of the Committee
were greatly relieved, and their resolve strengthened to do the right
thing, by the County Council offering to pay half the expense.
Pending the execution of the scheme the Committee succeeded in
getting some improvement effected in Concord Buildings so as to make
them less objectionable, and more healthy.