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set of Regulations, for the information and guidance of the
Vestry, had been forwarded by the Local Government
Board, who had declared the 35th Sec. of the Act to bo
in force, which draft Regulations were under the consideration
of the Vestry. The Regulations were under discussion
at several meetings of the Vestry, and were ultimately
rejected.
The feeling which prevailed in the Vestry was that the
Regulations generally were of such an inquisitorial and
troublesome character that they were unsuited to the
government of an Englishman's home.
For instance, it was shown that in some cases even
clergymen occupied lodgings which would be reached by
these Regulations.
In the parish of Clerkenwell there is a very large
number of respectable people who are compelled to take
houses larger than they require, because they cannot
obtain suitable houses within their means, and arc therefore
compelled, in aid of their rent, to take in lodgers, and
the Vestry felt that to put in force regulations of the kind
suggested would be an unnecessary invasion of the privacy
of the houses of this class of people by a Public Officer,
and therefore repugnant to the feelings of such people.
Hence the non-adoption of the regulations as recommended.
They further felt from the beginning that such suggestions
as that "the floors of rooms shall be swept daily and
washed weekly" (clause 21), that "every window shall be
cleaned," &c. (clause 22), and that "every receptacle of
refuse," &c., shall be cleansed every day (clause 23), and
that "every window shall be opened and be kept fully open
for an hour at least in the forenoon, and an hour at least in