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of 1882 and the other changes which took place in 1879, ought
to be measured by demolition and re-erection, is that the only
use of those Acts?—I very much question whether they should
be measured by total demolition, I think they may be advantageously
dealt with by way of improving and making good
what already exists rather than bodily sweeping it away.
17,823. Is it not known to your Vestry that the policy of these
Acts as adopted by Parliament was twofold: first to put a pressure
upon improvement and correction of evils, and only as a
last resource to resort to demolition?—Quite so.
17,824. Therefore if it be stated either here or elsewhere that
the failure so called of these Acts is to be measured by the demolition
of houses which can be tabulated in a schedule, is that a
fair estimate of the working of these Acts?—No.
17,825. Which of the two courses is the better: the pressure to
produce repairs and to bring owners to a consciousness of what
is due to their tenants, or a wholesale demolition turning out
great numbers of people, and leaving to chance when they may
be housed again?—I think, as I have already said, that it would
be to the advantage of all if the pressure of the Act was brought
to bear upon owners to improve that which already exists
instead of sweeping it away.
17,826. I presume that the Yestry for whom you are speaking
here think that gradual improvement and gradual pressure is
very much to be preferred to sudden and per saltum pressure?—
Yes, decidedly.
17,827. Have you any doubt that that was the policy advocated
by the authors of these Acts, and that the Yestry knew
that that was the object of these Acts when they were passed?—
I have not the slightest doubt of it.
17,828. With regard to overcrowding, will you tell the Commission
what, in your opinion, after 28 years' experience, is at
the bottom of the overcrowding ; why is it that a number of poor
people prefer to huddle in miserably insufficient rooms rather
than try to get what are called better dwellings at a higher
price; what is the tendency which leads them to prefer to continue
to huddle together in that way?—I believe they prefer
one another's company and what would be called sociability even
at a little sacrifice of room and space to occupying a large room
and more space.
17,829. Would you not be prepared to go further and say that
partly through ignorance—no doubt they run the risk of ill
health and disease in their anxiety, in the first place, to save
something out of their wages for other enjoyments or comforts,