View report page

116
It is impossible to give a just idea of the full scope
of the report in a brief abstract, but it may be stated
that the Committee, with regard to (1), recognize the impossibility
of relieving, to more than a very limited extent,
the present unsatisfactory condition of things, by the provision of
fresh accommodation for the working classes, in the form of model
dwellings, whether undertaken by philanthropists or public
bodies : the bulk of the people must live in existing houses
and be dependent on others for the enforcement of sanitary
conditions. They are satisfied that Torrens's Acts are ineffectual
for clearing out slums or for remedying the work of jerry builders
in the hands of the local authorities, who rest content with
" improvements " and " patchings-up," when the only practical
remedy is demolition. Usual reflections are passed upon " unwilling
or interested " Vestries, the remedy proposed being concurrent
power to enable the Council to enforce the provisions of
Torrens's Acts.* Cross's Acts suffice for dealing with large
areas, but operation involves "more or less cost and delay."
Approving reference is made to the letter of the President of the
Local Government Board (vide page 119), on the assumption
that the local authorities neglect their duty of preventing
premises unfit for habitation from being inhabited; of preventing
overcrowding, and of securing the demolition or
improvement of insanitary dwellings. I have dealt with the
difficulties of the sanitary authorities in my report on the
subject of Mr. Ritchie's letter, &c. (page 122) and will,
therefore, only add here that with enlarged experience the
Committee will see cause to modify their views and soften their
strictures. They hit a distinct blot in sanitary administration,
however, in reference to the paucity of Sanitary Inspectors, and
recommend, what we try to carry out, regular inspections of working-class
dwellings; they also recommend what I have for years
* In their annual report, the Committee refer to the unworkability of these
Acts. " The local authorities are averse to take action " under them, and " with
some justice, as superficial repairs to insanitary houses may be
considered sufficient by the justices, to whom an appeal is made by the owner of
the property, and thus little result is effected."