(9)

is kept by one man who may have a cubicle to himself, and all the rest of the floor is let out to his lodgers, so that such a return will not give you the proportion of family houses to coolie houses, unless it specifies floors with more than one cubicle.

-That simply means that it is occupied by more

Yes, cubicles more than one-'

than one family.

Mr. EDE--If Dr. CLARE did that with Districts 5 and 6 we should have very fair information as to what we should propose to do in regard to the others.

The CHAIRMAN-I think we had better confine ourselves to the two districts, as Mr. JACKSON suggested.

Hon. T. H. WaHITEHEAD-Yes, only Districts 5 and 6 and leave out the remainder for the present.

Mr. EDE-In a street which is wider than 15 feet, say, a street 25 feet wide, do you suggest that cubicles should be allowed upon all the floors ?-Yes, with anything over 15 feet I think that the angle of incidence of the light is sufficient to render them fairly habitable, if my previous suggestions, to reduce the height of the partition walls, and to ensure adequate window area, are adopted.

Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I think your question does not imply that streets over that width-

Mr. EDE-I wanted to be sure. Do you suggest that any of these cubicles should have some kind of window of glass which could let in the light? I notice that two or three cubicles had a glass pane in them to admit the light. Do you think that would be a thing to require of them ?

WITNESS Where did they have them?

I think I saw one or two of these cubicles that had a little square window-Opening into where ?

Into the narrow alley-way. These alley-ways had cubicles on each side. There are a few generally on one side.

up

I think I saw one or two, if not more, that had a little square window in the cubicle itself. I do not think it would be of any use because the cubicles are generally stocked with a bed and clothing. The cubicles are occupied by a family and the consequence is that the whole of the family property is stocked in that little cubicle and the bed occupies a considerable portion, and there are hangings all round the walls. I think we must hope to get our light through the top.

Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-Supposing it was a condition that the window was required, that window could very easily be filled up with frosty-glass so the occupants would enjoy as much privacy as if the window was not there.

The CHAIRMAN-I understand the witness does not object on that ground, but on the ground that it would not be of much use.

Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I think my contention is practically correct.

The CHAIRMAN-He points out that the room is so full of material that there would be no light.

WITNESS-I thought the suggestion was that it should be made compulsory. Mr. T. JACKSON-Dr. CLARK is right.

The CHAIRMAN--Do you think that the question of the window might be considered ? WITNESS--I do not think it is any use considering it if it is to be compulsory.

Mr. JACKSON-We had better not pursue that. I would only insist upon what we think would be absolutely useful,

Share This Page