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20
runs through very many. This Consolidation Bill is in draft—and
it also contains a Clause giving to a Magistrate power to inflict a
fine, not exceeding five pounds, where neglect to remedy a nuisance
has been proved. It has become an annual custom to refer to the
well-known Bell Lane and Great Pearl Street schemes, both of
which were inherited by the London County Council from the
Metropolitan Board of Works. It has been my privilege to be
associated with Mr. Shirley Murphy in an inspection of these
areas. A Committee of the Council has also visited them. No
report has reached me concerning the Bell Lane area, but you are
aware that a communication has emanated from the Council to
your Board, stating that in the opinion of the Council, Cross's Acts
of Parliament do not seem applicable to the houses which make up
the Great Pearl Street area. It remains, therefore, for your Officers
to deal as best they can with this property. I have already seen
the owners and agents who are concerned, with a view to obtain
some uniform and combined improvement. I am waiting for some
specifications to be submitted which shall effect this object. One
month was suggested and agreed to as a fair time during which no
action should be taken.
I cannot, however, avoid stating that I am disappointed with
the present arrangement, because I think some provision should
be made for the better accommodation and supervision of the class
of persons who now inhabit those wretched rooms, called "Furnished
rooms;'' and it seems to me that no better site could have
been selected for experiment than the Great Pearl Street area.
It is not possible to consider this subject seriously, without having
to confess that we are here face to face with, perhaps, the most
difficult social problem of the present day. Philanthropists are
often devoted individually to schemes for "improving the welfare
of the poor," and each person has some pet scheme to suit some
particular class. I think some combination of such suggestions
might lead to better results, than can take by allowing the present
somewhat patchy way of working to continue. The question often
arises: Have the very poor been treated fairly in this great matter
of house accommodation? Let me state the case. A large area
is cleared of wretched hovels to make way for large piles of cleanlylooking
buildings. What has become of the people who were
dislodged? Are they re-housed in the new Model Dwellings?
Certainly not. In the first place the rents demanded are above