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to deal with the matter under the provisions of Part III. of the
Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890. In the present position
of affairs it would seem to be desirable to enter somewhat more
fully into the matter, if only to show that the power referred to
exists, and could, without any great ultimate expense, be forthwith
employed, so as to ameliorate the condition of the inhabitants.
PART III of the Act in question consolidates, with certain
amendments, the repealed Lodging Houses Acts, 1851 to 1885,
commonly known as Shaftesbury's Acts, its object being precisely
what is now desiderated, the provision of suitable homes for the
working classes. Section 53 defines the expression "lodging-houses
for the working classes," as including "separate houses or cottages
for the working classes, whether containing one or several tenements;"
and "the purposes of this part of the Act" includes "the
provision of such houses and cottages." Were this part of the Act
to be adopted by the local authority, i.e., the London County Council
(section 54), they would have power to carry it into action; and for
that purpose they could exercise the same powers, whether of contract
or otherwise, as in the execution of their duties under the Metropolis
Management Act, 1855, and the Acts amending the same; and
these powers appear to be ample for the purpose (section 56). The
Council, for instance, have power (under section 57) to acquire laud,
for the purposes of this Part, in like manner as if those purposes were
purposes of the Public Health Act, 1875, sections 175 to 178 inclusive.
The same (57th) section enables the Council to contract
for the purchase or lease of any lodging-houses for the working
classes already or hereafter to be built, and to appropriate them for
the purposes of this part of the Act. Section 59 provides for the
erection of lodging-houses. It reads as follows :—
"The Local Authority may, on any land acquired or appropriated
by them, erect any buildings suitable for
lodging-houses for the working classes, and may alter,
enlarge, repair, and improve the same respectively, and
fit up, furnish, and supply the same respectively, with all
requisite furniture, fittings, and conveniences."
Section 61 vests in the Local Authority the general management,
regulation, and control of the lodging-houses established or acquired,
and enables them to "make such reasonable charges for the tenancy
or occupation" of them "as they may determine by regulations,"
which (by section 62), they are empowered to make "for the
management, use, and regulation of the lodging-houses." The
section makes it obligatory on the local authority, "except in the
case of a lodging-house which is occupied as a separate dwelling,"