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supervision and a caretaker. Yet many authorities believe that in
providing healthy house accommodation within the means of
classes (a) and (b) at, say, 1s. to 1s. 6d. per room per week, and
classes (c) and (d) at, say, 1s. 6d. to 2s. per room per week, is to be
found a solution to one of the most difficult parts of the problem. °
In extra metropolitan districts and in the provinces, much has been
done in recent years in providing houses for the working classes at
low rents.†
Powers under Part III.—We may summarise the powers
of the Local Authority which has adopted Part III. of the Act in a
few words:—
1. The Local Authority may acquire land for the erection of
dwelling houses for the working classes (Section 57).
2. May contract for the purchase or lease of any lodging houses
already or hereafter to be built or provided (Section 57).
3. May erect any buildings suitable for lodging houses for the
working classes.
4. May convert buildings into such lodging houses, or alter,
enlarge, repair and improve the same, and fit up and
furnish and supply the same respectively with all requisite
furniture, fittings, and conveniences.
5. May, as has been pointed out, by the Act of 1900, purchase
land and build dwellings suitable for the working classes
outside of the district.
° For definitions of classes (a), (b), (c), (d), see p. 78. For the system of
individual training and personal oversight of dwelling houses for these classes,
as carried out by Miss Octavia Hill and others, see Report 0/ Royal Commission,
Vol. II., pp. 288-308.
† See Housing of the Working Classes.—W. Thompson, of Richmond.