View report page

111
poses, therefore, that a hard and fast line shall be
drawn according to which all lodging houses above a
certain rateable value shall escape, all below it
shall be included. Again, I know little of what
obtains in central parishes; but in parishes like our
own, where I dare say ten thousand houses are let
in lodgings, the adoption of any such rule would be
not only unjust, but absurd. Most of the houses
(as in Sultan and Hollington Streets), which have
been brought under our regulations, are tolerably
large houses, occupied by several familes each;
but a great number of our houses let in lodgings
are small, clean houses, in respectable streets,
occupied by clerks and persons of that class, which
stand at a lower rental than these others. The
Board's regulations would put all of these in the
same category, or (if making a distinction) would
place the better class of lodging houses under
regulation, and would exclude those that actually
need it.
5th. The requirements are in some instances
tyrannical and indecent. Clauses 8, 9, 10, and 11
give authority to the Medical Officer of Health,
Inspector of Nuisances, or other officer deputed by
the Vestry to visit any room in a lodging house
night or day. No doubt it is desirable to prevent