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Vestry bud been put to an expense of about £500 in preparing to carry out the
works ordered in November, 1890, 1 asked for an explanation why the Council had
not pointed out at an earlier period that the Vestry had no legal power to carry
out the works ordered by the Council.
To this letter no reply has been received.
(b) LETTINGS.
During the vear the large hall has been let 135 times, the Council Chamber
o •/ o
19 times, the Committee rooms have been used by local societies on several
occasions.
The receipts for the hire of the Large Hall, Council Chamber and Committee
rooms for the financial year ended 25th March, 1892, were £626 3s. Od.
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES.
(I) BOUNDARY STREET IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
One of the most important schemes framed by the London County Council for
the betterment of the condition of the labouring classes is that known as the
London (Boundary Street, Bethnal Green) Improvement Scheme, 1890. The
scheme, which is framed in pursuance of Part 1 of the Housing of the Working
Classes Act, 1890, was undertaken by the Council in consequence of representations
made by Dr. G. P. Bate, Medical Officer of Health of Bethnal Green, and Dr. H.
G. Sutton, the Vestry's late Medical Officer. These representations were to the
effect that the houses, courts and alleys within the area were unfit for human
habitation, and that diseases indicating a generally low condition of health amongst
the inhabitants had been prevalent, and were occasioned by the closeness, narrowness,
and bad arrangement of the streets and houses, and by the absence of light,
air^ ventilation and proper sanitary conveniences. In consequence of such representations,
the London County Council on the 4th November, 1890, sealed an
improvement scheme, which was duly submitted to the Home Secretary. An
inquiry was subsequently held by Mr. D. Cubitt Nichols, who represented in favour
of the scheme. The Home Secretary thereupon made a Provisional Order slightly
modifying the scheme of the London County Council, but in the main confirming
its provisions. The principal points in the Provisional Order wrere the following—
That after clearing the area, dwellings to accommodate not less than 5,100
persons of the working class are to be erected, but this number is to be
reduced to 4,600 in the event of the Council acquiring Goldsmith
Square, and supplying accommodation there for 500 persons of the
working classes.