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THE FARMER*S MAGAZINE. 



out of them, btit lie could not commit himself to say that they 

 were uuexceptional modela. 



Mr. Masters, who waa to have seconded the resolution, 

 agreed with the last speaker's objections. These cottages, he 

 said, were more suitable for the town, where water and drain- 

 age would counteract any unpleasantness that would otherwise 

 arise from the outhouse not being detached. He was afraid, 

 however, it would not do for the country, where water and 

 drainage would not be applied. He understood that the 

 lower room waa only to be used as a bedroom in case of 

 sickness. 



The resolution fell to the ground, the meeting agreeing with 

 the last two speakers. 



The Secretary mentioned that Mr. Kibble stated in his 

 letter that he had built two cottages on the plan, with a modi- 

 fication. He had put the outhouse at a distance. He ap? 

 proved very highly of the model as an economical arrangement. 

 He (the secretary) said the object of the committee was to 

 make such o cottage as would meet the wants of the labourer, 

 and such a one as could be let cheap, with a reasonable interest 

 to the proprietors. If three regular bedrooms were made, it 

 would cause an increased rent he was afraid. 



Mr. Whatman said a tank cemented was perfectly suffi- 

 cient to prevent any unpleasantness from the outhouse being 

 near the cottage. He had had some experience in this matter, 

 and he had not found any inconvenience from the nearness of 

 the outhouse, when he used the tank. 



Mr. Punnett said, with a drain and supply of water by a 

 syphon as at the model cottages, there could be no smell. Of 

 course, in the country water could not be laid on. 



r. GOLDSMID, Esq., said he should scarcely have offered 

 any remarks on this occasion, not having taken a part in the 

 proceedings of this society, had he not had his attention 

 directed elsewhere to this very subject, and he had been so 

 completely convinced how very essential it was to the health 

 and welfare and morality of the labouring classes that they 

 should have decent homes, that he should feel that he had not 

 done his duty if he did not give this society his support. He 

 shared the feelings of the rev. gentleman who said he did not 

 like to pledge himself to this particular buildicg, but he 

 thought the resolution put into his hand was not open to the 

 objection given to the last. It was " That the thanks of this 

 meeting be given to Mr. Punnett for the good assistance he 

 has rendered to the society by the erection of the model cot- 

 tages." He (Mr. Goldsmid) thought two bedrooms were not 

 sufficient accommodation in these cottages. It was also quite 

 necessary that the expense should be borne in mind, for 

 although the feeling of many was excited on this subject, they 

 were not so strongly impressed with the duty they owed to 

 others as to give them decent and comfortable homes without 

 a fair return for the outlay ; they must limit the expense of 

 the model if they wished to give rise to a national movement 

 on this important question. He thought this society did 

 owe a great deal of thanks to Mr. Punnett for having brought 

 their plans to the test, but he hoped the plans wo'jld be greatly 

 improved. 



The Secretary seconded. It was a great objection, and 

 one which would be well considered by the committee, that 

 the cottages were too small; but if the cottages for the labour- 

 ing-classes were made larger they would find that another 

 great evil, which was intended to be got rid of, that of taking 

 lodgers, would be encouraged instead of abated. The rooms 

 were thought quite sufficient for an average family of five per- 

 sons. Perhaps he ought to mention hov/ the society, as now 

 constructed, originated. The speeches made at the agricul- 

 tural meetings last year and the year before, all began by saying 



that the cottage accommodation was insufficient or bad, and 

 unless that was seen to, it was useless to give them either 

 library, newsroom, or spiritual instruction. It was in conse- 

 quence of these speeches that the committee reconstructed 

 the society on the present plan. With respect to the objec- 

 tion to the model because it bad not three bedrooms, he said 

 no one would like three bedrooms more than the committee ; 

 but then it would defeat the object, he was afraid, by increas- 

 ing the expense. Some gentlemen did not look to the cost, 

 only to the benefit, but those gentlemen were unfortimately 

 not very numerous ; therefore it was necessary to combat the 

 evils they met with through this society, rather than leave 

 them to what was in this day a somewhat chivalrous feeling of 

 generosity. It was a very generous thing on Mr. Punnett's 

 part to put up these cottages on his own account. He (the 

 secretary) thought and hoped he would not be a loser by it. 



Mr. Punnett acknowledged the vote of thanks, saying he 

 was very much pleased if he had been of assistance to the 

 society. He explamed how he built the pairs, one after the 

 other, adding improvements as he proceeded, under the in- 

 struction of Mr. Martin, their agent. 



The Secretary referred to the origin of the former so- 

 ciety. At that time there was a great deal of excitement from 

 stack-burning, and this society was started with a view to 

 ameliorate the condition of the poor. It had been the means 

 of doing a great deal of good, and of giving the minds of the 

 agricultural labourers a more practical turn than that of burn- 

 ing ricks. It went on for a great many years, and had allot- 

 ments in forty parishes, but at last it fell almost into desuetude, 

 and might entirely have done so, but for Sir E. Filmer, who 

 was the means of the old committee being summoned to 

 Maidstone, when the committee considered what could be done. 

 Some thought of going on with the old system of allotments, 

 and some thought it would be better to attempt the improve- 

 ment of the cottages of the working-classes, which object was 

 adopted. The operations of the society were humble, and the 

 funds moderate. Their object was to get as perfect a model 

 as possible, and then distribute the working plans where they 

 were mostly wanted, and to make them known as widely as 

 possible. They certainly did require some little funds, and as 

 the proposed model could not be acted upon after what had 

 taken place, but would have to be modified a little, it would 

 entail some further expense. He therefore should be glad to 

 receive any subscriptions. 



(Several gentlemen became members at the close of the 

 meeting.) 



The Rev. Mr. Onslow moved a vote of thanks to the rev. 

 chairman, which 



Mr. Whatman, M.P., seconded, and in doing so said he 

 would make one or two remarks, if it would be in order, on 

 what had taken place at the meeting. He was inclined to 

 think they had not appreciated the labours of the committee, 

 and the p'n.n that had been put before them ; and he rather re- 

 gretted the decision to which they had come, for this reason : 

 he could not think but that they might have adopted the plan 

 which the committee had taken such pains to bring before 

 them, so that they might judge of its merits and demerits, if 

 it had any, bccauac it could not be expected to do for all 

 classes of poor for all localities. It did not profess to provide 

 accommodation for all families. It was put before them simply 

 as a good plan for adoption or modification as circumstances 

 required. Such cottages as these would certainly be a very 

 great improvement on many existing buildings. He could not 

 therefore but hope that although they had not been for- 

 mally approved of, the committee might see their way clear to 

 circulate their views on the subject, that other people might 



