ROYALTY IN THE SLUMS.

Western Star, Issue 840, 3 May 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

ROYALTY IN THE SLUMS.

The Prince of Wales is taking a keen interest in the development of the dwellings question. Recently his Royal Highness, accompanied by Lord Carrington, who represents the English Local Government Board in the House of Lords, and Dr. Buchanan, one of the public medical officers, visited the slums in the Hoiborn district for the purpose of ascertaining by personal inspection the real condition of the dwellings there. The identity of the Prince was disguised as much as possible, so that of the hundreds of persons whose houses he vi there were hone who had the 'rfaiutest idea of the standing of their unknown visitors. ’ When the little party drove up to the slums in a disreputable - looking four - wheeler, they were taken for inspectors, and treated accordingly. In a number of the wretched hovels that were visited, the landlord or his agent was found dunning the half-starved occupants for their weekly rents. Several of these persons exchanged views on the condition of these houses with the royal party with the utmost freedom. In one instance the Prince, I am informed, took a tone of somewhat stern rebuke to a greedy Italian, whose property was found in a disgusting sanitary condition. Assuming the character that had been generally assigned to him, his Royal Highness gave this man peremptory orders to see that the nuisance for which he was directly responsible was at once removed —an undertaking which the Italian readily gave. Altogether the visit was, we learn on the best authority, described by the Prince as having been a highly instructive one. In all probability a practical outcome of it will be the contribution of a brief speech by his Royal Highness in the House of Lords on Lord Salisbury’s motion for the appointment of a royal Commission of Inquiry j and it is also probable that he will consent to give the Commission the prestige of his support by becoming a member.