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34
under the Nuisances Removal Acts, but in each instance as far as is
within your Memorialists' knowledge, such attempts have failed for
want of sufficient statutory powers.
That it will be for the general benefit and welfare of a large portion
of the Metropolitan Ratepayers that the local authorities should be
empowered to deal summarily with cases of this description, in order
that they may control the holding of such exhibitions and the erection
of such swinge, &c., so as to prevent the nuisance now complained of.
Your Memorialists therefore humbly pray,
That you will be pleased to obtain powers in the next Session of
Parliament enabling local authorities in the Metropolis to deal summarily
with and exercise control over persons setting up shows or exhibitions,
and carrying on such amusements as are above described, in
localities where the same constitute a nuisance to the respectable
householders who are at present unable to obtain redress except at a
great personal cost.
Sealed by Order,
THOMAS EDWARD JONES,
Clerk to the Board.
9th January, 1884.
A similar Memorial was presented to the Home Secretary by a deputation
of representatives from the several local authorities, and after
hearing the deputation, the Home Secretary in reply, expressed himself
decidedly unfavourable to the views of the deputation. He said
he had often been asked why he did not prevent ragged little boys
playing in the Green Park, where respectable people liked to walk, and
did not like to see those dirty, noisy little boys. But, after all, the respectable
people had plenty of places and opportunities of enjoying
themselves, whereas these poor children had very few places, and he
would therefore be sorry to restrict such healthy enjoyment or harmless
entertainment as they could get. That was the point of view from
which he looked at these matters with which the memorial dealt. If
the cheap entertainments in question really led to serious evils, or were
demoralising and led to breaches of public order, Parliament and the
police might interfere, but so long as they gave occasional amusement
without any serious harm, to those who had too little enjoyment, he had
not the heart to promise interference. In many districts where poor
people could not go to regular places of amusement, these caravans
came, and finding more spare, vacant places, they opened some entertainment
for humble patrons, "Why should we grudge this?
A member of the deputation remarked that these travelling shows
often caused a nuisance to shopkeepers and to the ratepayers in private
houses.
Sir William Harcourt said it often happened that individuals had to
suffer more or less, for the advantage of the vast majority, and after all,
most residents in private houses had a great deal of comfort and en-