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proceeding would no doubt tend to promote the public health, particularly in
crowded neighbourhoods. But I apprehend that the proposition to improve
private property at the public expense, will not commend itself to the
favorable consideration of local Boards. The poorer class of ratepayers
will strongly object that any portion of the rates shall be applied for the
special benefit of landlords.
The next plan is one upon a much larger scale than that last mentioned,
and is to the following effect, viz.: that the Government should lend money to
the amount of fifty millions, at 3½ per cent., to local authorities, on security
of the rates, to improve dwelling houses, to sewer, drain, construct waterworks,
markets, &c.; and to effect street, road, and other town improvements.
This is certainly the boldest scheme which has ever been put
forward, and is one which, if carried out, would soon be productive of good
results, as would be shown in the improvement of the health of the people,
and in the diminution of pauperism and crime. But the same objection
holds good to this scheme as to the preceding one, viz., the taking of money
out of the rates to improve private property.
The fifth plan is one which I brought under your notice in my Report
for the Quarter ending 30th December, 1865, and which has been advocated
by others, is to the following effect, viz.: That public companies, having
for their object the improvement of the dwellings of the poor, should, under
certain restrictions, to be imposed by the Board of Trade, or by the Privy
Council, obtain compulsory powers for the purchase of land, on fair compensation
being made to the owners, and to erect suitable habitations for the
working classes. If encouragement were to be given to the formation of
such public companies, without compelling them to incur the expense of
obtaining Acts of Parliament, but by simply enabling them to obtain such
powers from a Government Board (after [such Board had approved of their
plans), as would be conferred upon them by an Act of Parliament, viz., to
purchase, under compulsory powers, plots of ground upon which houses
unfit for habitation are found to exist, to pull such houses down, and to
erect in their stead others fit for the occupation of the working classes, I
believe that public companies would readily be formed, having for their object
the building of suitable habitations for the labouring classes, and that the
good results of the labours of such companies would soon become apparent,
not only in the improved condition of the houses and localities of the poor,
but in the improvement of the moral and physical condition of the people.
The last scheme proposed for obtaining a better class of house accommodation
for the working people—and it is the one which meets my views
upon this subject—is to the following effect, viz., that the Legislature should
invest the Home Secretary or the Privy Council with power to appoint a
certain number of skilled medical men as inspectors who should be required