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94
Before leaving this part of the subject it may be pointed out that
many authorities are of opinion that Municipalities should make
provision for what is termed " the residuum." This word is used to
designate that portion of the community which has been described
by various epithets—none of which are probably quite adequateShortly
expressed, they are the lowest class of labourer and casual
earners, who cannot pay the ordinary rents of sanitary working class
dwelling houses, and who yet find it essential to live in the central
part of London to obtain a living. It is to this class that the persons
belong who spoil good property—cut and destroy the w oodwork, steal
the lead piping, wilfully injure premises, are dirty and careless in
habits, uncertain in payment, and in many ways contribute towards
making property insanitary.
At a Housing Conference in London, in 1900, Mr. Percy Boulnois
described the kind of dwelling houses necessary, in his opinion, for
this section of the community, as follows:-
"The accommodation must be simple and even unattractive, or
otherwise a better class tenant will be attracted; the rent aimed at
should, if possible, approach some such unit as one shilling per room
per week.
"The building may be either of the "block" type, or preferably,
rows of self-contained cottages, two or three storeys in height, with
two and three-roomed tenements.
"The rooms must not be too large or lodgers will be introduced,
there need be no larder, as this class of tenant has veritably to live
"from hand to mouth." There need be no copper for washing, as
what little fuel is bought is used for cooking, and washing may now
be done at the nearest public wash-house. The living room may be
the kitchen, as this class of tenant always make it so. There should
be, however, a scullery, the smallest possible size will do, fitted with
a sink and cold water tap.
"There is no need for a hot-water tap as this means a boiler and
extra fuel. Any hot water required can be heated in a kettle or pot
on the sitting-room range which should, of course, have a small oven