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12
A third is that owing to the increased cost of materials, &c.,
and the higher standard of luxury desired, a given rent will not
secure so large or roomy a house as heretofore.
Again, the wage earner travels increased and increasing distances,
and so relatively less money is available for rent.
The desire to live where there are green fields and open spaces
is a most laudable one; but, under present conditions, its fulfilment
leads to its frustration, for as soon as houses are built the fair
conditions which led to their erection vanish.
In fact, the growth of houses around London, with the dreary
areas of decaying intermediate suburbs, reminds one forcibly of
the progress of those pathological formations which invade healthy
regions and leave behind them a track of atrophy or decay.
In districts such as this the permanence of our Parks and
Commons is an asset of incalculable value, but still the most
vigorous action possible under the Housing and Town Planning
Act is called for ere it be yet too late.
Reference has been repeatedly made in these reports to the
state of some of our older dwellings, and notably those of the
Malthouse Area.
In May, 1909, a public enquiry was held at the Council House
into the representations made concerning this area, and communications
from the Local Government Board have since been
received.
A sub-committee is at present earnestly at work on the matter,
and 1 am sanguine that next year it may be reported that practical
steps have been taken.
The condition of other parts of the district has not however
escaped attention ; substantial repairs are now being carried out