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weather, and on other points on the subject, to which
the following reply was sent, viz.:—
1.—There is some exceptional distress in this district, due to the severe
weather.
2.—As in previous winters this Board are doing what they can to find work
for the unemployed. The making up of several roads and the construction
of a sewer was ordered a few weeks ago, but owing to
the frost these works have been practically at a standstill. The
Board have employed as many men as possible in removing snow,
sanding roads, &c. The average daily number so employed,
exclusive of those already in the employment of the Board, duritig
the first three days of the week ended 16th February was 19.
During the Jast three days none were so employed. In fact owing
to the frost the Board had difficulty in finding work for their
regular men. I may add that the average daily number of men
(exclusive of the Board's regular men) employed as above-mentioned
during the week ended 2nd February was 481, and the average daily
number for the week ended 9th February 108.
The Guardians of the Poor of the Union have opened a stoneyard for the
unemployed: you will no doubt receive particulars as to this from
the Guardians.
Some relief is given in money, coal, soup, &c., by philanthropic societies
in various parts of the district. ,
3.—The Board in January, 1894, opened a free labour register at
Wandsworth, and kept it open for three months, during which time
165 men and 35 women were registered. Handbills were circulated
and posted throughout the district giving notice thereof, but only
eight employers of labour inspected the register, and the only
person who found employment through its agency was a domestic
servant. The Board do not think that any good result would be
obtained by re-opening the register.
4.—The only suggestion I can make is that local authorities should carry
out as much of their work as possible during the winter, but, as is
pointed out above, with regard to many of these works it is
practically impossible to proceed with them in time of severe frost.
Water Transfer
Bills.
The London County Council are promoting
eight Bills for the transfer to them of the undertakings
of the several London Water Companies. The
following abstract of the Bills was laid before the Board
by the Clerk, viz.;—
New Biver
Waterworks
(Transfer! Bill.
This Bill has been introduced into Parliament by the
London County Council. Its object is the transfer to the
Council of the water undertaking of the New River Company. This term
moans the undertaking works and property of the Company as a Water