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54
It seems strange that objection should be made to the
abolition of a slum and the formation of a street of this
kind, while, within half a mile, lofty model dwellings
are being erected with the approval of the Council, the
blocks being as near together as the small houses at
Brady's Buildings were proposed to bo.
Snow Storms
and Casual
Labour.
The winter was remarkable for the heavy falls of
snow, and the prolonged frost was the cause of the
almost total suspension of out-door labour, and there
was, therefore, considerable distress among the poorer
classes. Notwithstanding this fact, it was difficult to
obtain sufficient Mutable labour for the purpose of
clearing the roads of snow, when such labour could bo
usefully employed; but when the hard frost prevented
any work being carried on, numbers of men applied for
employment.
The Local Government Board forwarded, both to the
Board of Guardians and the Vestry, in common with all
other public bodies, the following circular letter:—
[Copy.]
Local Government Board,
Whitehall, S.W.
January, 1891.
Sir,
The Local Government Board have had under their
consideration the distress of many persons of the Working
Class in the Metropolis, in consequence of the want
of employment which has been occasioned by the recent
severity of the weather.
The Board deem it right, under the circumstances
which now exist, to bring the subject under the special
attention of Vestries and District Boards, and to suggest
for their consideration whether, if there are any works
required for their district which in the ordinary course
would be deferred until a later period of the year, it