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253
dust bins had any lid, but I was informed, I do not know how
truly, that the Sanitary Committee did not consider lids necessary.
From this I entirely dissent.
Smith's Rents.— I entirely concur in the opinion expressed by
the Mansion House Committee that "This property should be
dealt with under Torren's Act, and that the houses, closets, &c.,
should be at once demolished."
Artillery Square.— This place is in precisely the same state
as it has been for many years. I could not detect that there had
been any illness, and the closet accommodation was in the same
condition as when it was passed four years since by your Surveyor.
The landlord employs a man to flush the closets, as directed by
the Sanitary Committee, twice a day. The ventilation, although
there are no back windows, is sufficient, as the Square is large
and well-paved. I see no occasion to interfere with these
premises.
York Buildings.— These houses are cleanly, and generally in
good repair, although there is no back ventilation. Ventilators
such as I suggested some years ago, are placed sideways in each
upper floor room. The only defect I think it necessary to draw
attention to is that the water closet is supplied with water from
the same cistern as the drinking water is drawn from, and that
the drinking tap is directly over a drain. With these exceptions,
I think the houses are fairly good.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your faithful Servant,
(Signed) BARNARD HOLT.
The report of the Medical Officer of Health, in so far as
it related to the houses in Lewisham street and Smith's
Rents, was referred to the surveyor for the action contemplated
by the Artizans' Dwellings Acts; the surveyor's
report to the Vestry advised the demolition of the buildings.
The Vestry forthwith ordered that copies of the reports
of the Medical Officer of Health and the Surveyor be transmitted
to the owners of the respective properties. All the
parties were subsequently heard, upon which the Vestry
passed and sealed Orders requiring the demolition of the
whole of the houses.
Mansion
House
Council.
Four further reports were received during the
year from the Mansion House Council on the
Dwellings of the People, calling attention to
sanitary defects at 520 houses and premises in the parish.