68 
The paper then went on to shew by statistics that the wealth 
of the country was much more equally distributed than formerly, 
the working classes getting a much larger share than formerly, as 
proof of this the Building Societies, Post Office Savings Banks, 
and Co-operative Societies were quoted. Itis not, then, the want 
of sufficient means to secure happiness, but the proper disposal 
of them. The small, inconvenient, dirty, unhealthy houses of a 
large number of artisans, who received thirty to forty shillings 
per week was referred to, and the question came—Who was to 
blame for this state of things ? The answer was threefold :-— 
First and principally himself and his wife ; secondly, Society ; 
thirdly, the Legislature. 
To decide what each of these can and ought to do is of the 
greatest importance, 
To examine the question more carefully, we find amongst 
other causes, the following prominent :— 
1. Insanitary dwellings. 
2. The incapacity of the people. 
3. Want of thrift. 
4. Depraved tastes. 
5. The drink curse. 
and all have more or less connection with each other. 
The ground work for any permanent improvement is the 
question of health. The question of pure air and ventilation 
will hold a prominent place in the near future, medical 
testimony assuring us that plenty of fresh air is a far better 
preventative of infectious diseases than condensed disinfectants. 
We want homes with plenty of light, air, ventilation and 
sanitation, well built, in wider streets, as opposed to back to 
back houses, in narrow close couris or alleys, with bad sanitary 
arrangements. 
It cannot be objected that the legislature does not give us full 
and adequate powers to carry this out thoroughly and effectually. 
We need no more legislation. We have ample laws to enable us 
to have healthy dwellings, but in too many cases the law is left 
inoperative, and in too many cases the local authorities are 
grievously to blame. It is satisfactory to feel that our own local 
authorities are becoming alive to this important work, for during 
the last few months they have closed 171 dwellings in the town, 
chiefly cellars, besides suggesting and enforcing improvements 
in almost every street in the borough. 
The incapacity of the people was next referred to, and the 
different causes thereof. Early marriage, neglect of early and 
specific training, physical and mental weakness. The importance 
of girls being well trained in domestic duties, in addition to 
learning some useful branch of industry, by which they could 
earn a living if necessary. It was of the greatest importance 
