694 Mr. James Mansergh [Marcli 18, 



Housing of Woekpeople. 



I should like now to be allowed to say a few words about tbe 

 arrangements which have been made by the Elan Supply Committee, 

 with whom I am in constant touch, for the housing and general well- 

 being of the workpeople engaged on the works in the Elan Valley, 

 and their families. At my recommendation, the Committee deter- 

 mined to undertake the construction of the reservoirs and all collateral 

 works in the valley under the direct administration of their own 

 staff, and without the intervention of contractors. This is not the 

 time nor place either to defend or apologise for this decision ; suffice 

 it to say that up to the present time the method is giving complete 

 satisfaction. Having thus decided, the question arose of how the 

 people were to be kept together in close proximity to the works, 

 and it was answered by the erection of a villaoje below Cabaa 

 Coch, with sufficient accommodation for about 1000 people. The 

 houses are of wood, and are built of different types to suit varying 

 grades ; thus, there are huts for officials such as the missioner and 

 schoolmaster, for gangers, for married workmen, and for navvy 

 lodgers. It has not been unusual on public works to put twenty- 

 four men into such a hut, sleeping in pairs in twelve beds, and, 

 where work was going on day and night, I believe there have been 

 occasions when these beds have not had time to get cold. This, to 

 say the least of it, is not nice. The committee needed no pressing 

 from me to sanction the erection of the huts above described. In 

 the larger eight men sleep in one large room, but each man has his 

 own separate cubicle and single bed. 



Water is laid on under pressure throughout the village ; the drain- 

 age system is as good as can be made ; and there is a fire brigade. 

 There is also a canteen, where good beer and aerated waters are to be 

 had at certain hours and under strict regulations ; schools for infants 

 and older children, with one male and two female teachers, these 

 rooms being used on Sundays for religious services. There is also 

 a large recreation hall with gymnasium, games, writing accommoda- 

 tion, and a circulating library, and in which are given concerts, 

 theatrical entertainments, and this last winter a hall. Then there 

 are baths and wash-houses, and a general and accident hospital in 

 the village, and another for infectious diseases far away up the hill- 

 side. The baths are, of course, patronised principally on Saturday 

 afternoon and Sunday morning. When first opened there was only 

 one charge, viz. a penny. It was soon found this would not do — 

 account had to be taken of different grades. If a nipper, or ordinary 

 tramp labourer, ivlio is not a jproud man, paid a penny, the legitimate 

 navvy demanded to pay more so as to be select. The foreman posed 

 on a still higher platform. Now, therefore, a warm bath, soap and 

 towel costs a penny. Ditto, with two towels, three half-pence. Ditto, 

 ditto, and high-class toilet soap, two-pence. There are, of course, 



