554 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION F. ~ 
large factory town. In Section III. a more detailed description was given 
of casual labour, and of the industrial features peculiarly characteristic of 
such great cities which have become centres of exchange. Casual labour was 
described as closely connected, on the one hand, with the structural forma- 
tion of the city, and, on the other hand, with certain other industrial 
problems—sweated labour among women and to a less degree with ‘ blind- 
alley’ occupations for boys. A statement was made of the economic loss 
to the community caused by the casual character of such labour, but the 
lack of accurate data was emphasised. Following the description of the 
industrial effects, a résumé was given of certain vital statistics showing the 
effect on public health of town life in general, and of extreme congestion in 
great cities in particular. Mention was made of characteristics which make 
certain illnesses responsible for a peculiarly great economic loss. Among 
such illnesses phthisis is the principal. In connection with the effect on 
public health the varying rates of infant mortality was noticed, as also 
were such data as have been hitherto collected as regards the physicai 
development of children in different surroundings. ‘The section ended with 
a reference to the effects of special features in housing—block dwellings, 
furnished rooms, and the absence of open spaces. 
The object of Sections IV. and V. was to prevent an exaggerated view 
being taken of the situation. In the former the present state of England 
was favourably compared to that on the Continent, so far as vital statistics 
are concerned. Emphasis was also laid on the vast improvement in the 
conditions obtaining sixty years ago. In the latter section the contributory 
influence of other causes of injury was discussed. While complete dis- 
crimination as regards their respective effects is neither possible nor, indeed, 
necessary, some instances were given showing how a remedy applied to one 
of the general nexus of causes may favourably affect the general result. 
In the last section the inferences which can be drawn from the preceding 
questions were summed up, and an analysis was given of the various points 
at which effort should be directed. 
Joint Meeting with Section E and Sub-section K (Agriculture). 
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 
The following Papers and Reports were read :-— 
1. The Gold Coinage of British Columbia, 1862. By J. Bonar, LL.D. 
The episode of a gold coinage in British Columbia is of more than local 
importance. The popular accounts of it are not wholly confirmed by the 
official correspondence. The issue of these pieces was one out of several 
expedients thought likely to relieve the inevitable embarrassments of large 
discoveries of gold. They were to be issued by the Assay Office at New 
Westminster. The doubtful experiment was stopped at the outset, not by 
the Home authorities, but by difficulties on the spot. 
Since 1862 the industrial situation has changed; the centre of gold-pro- 
duction is elsewhere; and British Columbia produces much besides gold. 
The political situation has also been altered by the entrance of British 
Columbia into the Confederation in 1871. A gold currency could not be 
provincial. 
2. Small Holdings and Co-operation. By C. R. Fay, M.A., D.Sc. 
The importance of small holdings in England has been growing during 
the last few years, and as the result of the legislation of 1907 there is a 
