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18
" 'Laying out and paving of new streets, &c.
" 'Paving of unpaved streets, and making of footpaths in
country roads.
" 'Spade husbandry on sewage farms.
" 'Laying out of open spaces, recreation grounds, new
cemeteries, or disused burial grounds.
" 'Providing or extending sewerage works and works of water
supply.'
"We would point out among other impracticabilities that of all
the classes of work above enumerated not one can be carried out
in frosty weather, which is the season in which the greatest
number of men are out of employment, and also that this Board,
and probably most other similar bodies, have a large number of
workmen who carry on many of the works suggested above in
suitable weather, but who are now enduring considerable hardships
through the frost preventing their working, and who will
need all the employment that can be given to them when the
weather breaks.
"Secondly, much of the above work requires skilled labour
of its peculiar kind, and all of it much physical effort, and is,
therefore, totally unfit for those whose infirmities prevent their
doing continuous laborious work, and who form such a large proportion
of the unemployed in periods of depression, and the
employment of men who are unable to do the work allotted to
them not only partakes of inhumanity, but their exposure in the
public thoroughfares will be likely in some cases to arouse indignation,
and in others promote reactionary feelings in those ratepayers
who notice their incapacity.
"With reference to the clause relating to loans, the Committee
would remind the Board of their unfortunate experience with
regard to the underground Convenience in the Borough. This
work was put in hand in November, 1893, before the plans were
complete, in order to find employment, when the weather
permitted, during the worst season of the year; and, although a
large number could not be employed on the work, yet the proportion
to our population was equal to giving 4,000 extra men work
throughout the Metropolis, or providing food and warmth for
about 20,000 persons. Sanction for a loan was applied for to the
Local Government Board on December 6th, 1893, but no
Inspector was sent to the District until March, 28th, 1894, and the
sanction was not obtained until April 10th, 1894. As the Board
does not keep large balances, considering that the ratepayers are
the proper custodians of their own money, the greatest possible
inconvenience was experienced in finding money to carry on the
regular works of the Board.