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12
secretaries of charitable organizations, was taken. Adopting
the views of the local authorities, the Commission condemned the
legislative attempts, already made, to deal with a con lition exciting
so much public sentiment, as incomplete and unsatisfactory, and
the scale upon which compensation under these Acts was awarded
a; unfair in the interests of the ratepayers. Tne Housing of the
Working Classes Act, 1890, may be regarded as the legislative
outcome of the Report of that Commission.
Divisions of
the Act.
The Act is divided into seven parts. Part Five and
Six relate to its application in Scotland and Ireland.
Part Three refers to the establishment or acquisition of
lodging-houses and their management by the Council. Part Seven
applies to temporary provisions and repeals. Part Four is supplemental.
Parts One and Two, the former dealing with large areas and
the latter with unhealthy houses and small areas, are important
additions to the health legislation of the Metropolis. They correspond
respectively in the scope of their application with Cross's
and Torrens' Acts, both of which are repealed.
The
County
Council
and part
first.
The County Council in virtue of its newly acquired
powers under the Act has already commenced operations.
In the Bethnal Green District an extensive area
has been scheduled. But for some time at least this
achievement is to stand alone. At a Conference of
the Housing of the Working Classes Committee of the London
County Council with Delegates of the Vestries and Distric
Boards, held in the Council Hall, Spring Gardens, it was declared
by the Chairman that no further scheme under Part One could at
present be entertained. If the announcement may be taken as
authoritative, the most important sections of Part One, except in so
far as they have application to the proposed improvement of the
Bethnal Green area, are likely to remain in abeyance. The
County Council calls upon the Vestries through their representatives
in Conference assembled, to recognise the responsibilities