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hands of the Commissioners for the attitude which it is
alleged they have maintained.
The Commissioners declare that "half the difficulty"
experienced in the solution of the problem would be met had
the Acts conferring power upon those authorities been
administered with disinterested intelligence and with
energy.
In justice to the Vestries it must be observed that although
six Acts of Parliament take cognizance of the existence of
this condition, in four alone arc the Vestries the recipients of
power, and upon examination this number may be further
reduced.
Lord Shaftesbury's Act makes provision for the erection,
purchase, or lease of lodging-houses for the working classes,
But in order that this Act may be adopted a meeting
specially convened for the purpose must be called upon the
requisition of the Ratepayers. The resolution of adoption
must be supported by at least two-thirds of the voters present
in that assembly. Not until this stage has been reached
has the Vestry any power to intervene. Then the Vestry is
required to appoint Commissioners who are entitled, when
elected, to borrow money upon the mortgage of the rates,
and otherwise to put into effect the intention of the Act.
Lord Shaftesbury's Act has practically remained a dead
letter. The Vestries, however, have in no measure contributed
to this failure in legislation.
The Metropolis Local Management Act contains a provision
in regard to the occupation of cellar dwellings. The
officer of the Vestry has power to close a cellar-dwelling
when the tenement docs not conform with the Act. This
provision is stringently enlorced throughout the parish of
Lambeth.
The third Act is that of Mr. Torrens. This measure provides
for the improvement or demolition of workmen s dwellings.