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24
These are the prominent causes which determine the
existence of overcrowding. As a rational plan for the
treatment of disease springs from an acquaintance with the
mode of its origin, so efficient measures for the remedy of
this social evil can only be discovered by the study of the
factors of its causation. But before proceeding to the consideration
of this section of the subject, the legislative
enactments already directed towards the relief of overcrowded
districts should be examined.
The Sanitary Act of 1866 provides for the abatement of
overcrowding, and Section 35 of the same Act, modified by a
subsequent Amendment Act in 1874, empowers the Local
Authority to make regulations for houses let in lodgings or
occupied by members of more than one family.
Lord Shaftesbury's Act, 1851, provides for the erection,
purchase, or lease of lodging-houses for the working classes
by means of a fund borrowed upon the mortgage of the
fates.
Cellar dwellings are dealt with by the provisions of the
Metropolis Local Management Acts of 1855 and 1862.
Mr. Torrens' Act of 1868, with amending Acts of 1879 and
1882, provides for the improvement or demolition of dwellings
occupied by the working classes, and for the building and
maintenance of improved dwellings.
The Artizans' Dwellings Improvement Act, commonly
known as Sir Richard Cross's Act, was intended to accomplish
upon a large scale that which by Mr. Torrens' Act is
done for small areas.
The Building Act defines the space to be allotted in the
construction of new roads, and the uncovered area to be
retained in the vicinity of the dwelling house.
In that part of the Report of the Royal Commission
assigned to the consideration of remedial measures the
Vestries of the Metropolis are severely dealt with at the