to Bull Street, August 1881; the Priory to John Street, June 1881; Bull Street to the Priory, January, 1882; John Street to Aston Street, February, 1882.  Little Cannon Street was formed in August 1881; and Cowper Street in January, 1881.  The first lease of land in the area of the scheme—­to the Women’s Hospital—­was agreed upon in January, 1876; and the first lease in Corporation Street—­to Mr. J.W.  Danieli—­ was arranged in May, 1878.  In July, 1879, a lease was agreed upon for the new County Court.  The arbitrations in the purchase of properties under the scheme were begun in June, 1879, and in June, 1880, Sir Henry Hunt, the arbitrator nominated by the Local Government Board, made his first award, amounting to L270,405, the remainder of the properties having been bought by agreement.  The loans borrowed on account of the scheme amount to L1,600,000, the yearly charge on the rates being over L20,000 per annum, but as the largest proportion of the property is let upon 75-year leases, this charge will, in time, not only be reduced yearly by the increase of ground-rents, as the main and branch streets are filled up, but ultimately be altogether extinguished, the town coming in for a magnificent income derived from its own property.  The length of Corporation Street from New Street to Lancaster Street is 851 yards, and if ultimately completed (as at first intended) from Lancaster Street to Aston Road, the total length will be 1,484 yards or five-sixths of a mile.  The total area of land purchased for the carrying-out of the scheme is put at 215,317 square yds. (about 44a. 1r. 38p.), of which quantity 39,280 square yards has been laid out in new streets, or the widening of old ones.  Of the branch or connecting streets intended there is one (from Corporation Street to the corner of High Street and Bull Street, opposite Dale End), that cannot be made for several years, some valuable leases not expiring until 1890 and 1893, but, judging by the present rate of building, Corporation Street itself will be completed long before then.  More than a score of the unhealthiest streets and lanes in the town have been cleared away, and from a sanitary point of view the improvement in health and saving of life in the district by the letting in of light and air, has been of the most satisfactory character, but though the scheme was originated under the Artisans’ Dwelling Act, intended to provide good and healthy residences in lieu of the pestiferous slums and back courts, it cannot in one sense be considered much of a success.  The number of artisans’ dwellings required was 1,335, about 550 of which were removed altogether, the rest being improved and relet, or converted into shops, warehouses, &c.  A piece of land between Newtown Row and Summer Lane, containing an area of 14,250 square yards was purchased for the purpose of leasing for the erection of artisans’ dwellings, and a 50ft. wide street was laid out and nicely planted with trees, but, owing either to the