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Connell, Billie (1992) An investigation into how perceptions of and attitudes to environmental and social conditions affected the policies of administrative authorities in a part of North London 1855-75. Masters thesis, University of North London.
This is an investigation into, and comparison of, the performance of three adjacent authorities in North London after the Metropolitan Local Management Act of 1855 (MLMA). The parishes of St Mary, Islington, St Pancras and (District Board of) Hackney appeared to demonstrate a very varied response. The intention is to determine what they had in common, the degree of variance, and the reasons.
The chance survival of near-verbatim reports (in two of these at least) provides insight into the day-by-day disputation which underlay the commonly available reports and statistical returns. In the two decades after the MLMA the observed distinct characteristics of parishes were reinforced by this legislation. Accepted generalisations about them are questioned and some explanations for their differences offered.
Part One provides a background, placing the authorities in their geographical context; outlines their transition from rural to urban areas; their historical evolution as parishes and constitutional changes wrought by the MLMA; their relationship to the Metropolitan Board of Works; evaluation of contemporary philosophies and attitudes.
Part Two investigates the activities of and difficulties experienced by the Medical Officers of Health appointed under the MLMA. The characteristics and transgressions of each authority (St Pancras particularly but not exclusively). The tyranny of the workhouse system exhibits both contemporary attitudes and parish idiosyncrasies; none are blameless.
Part Three presents instances of serious environmental pollution in all, especially from the cowhouses and slaughterhouses of St Pancras (attributable to power of vested interests); abuses of public office in all cases. St Pancras was the worst offender, especially in relation to sewage provision. Evaluation of performance regarding slum clearance was confused by locational and population pressures and railway clearances.
In conclusion, St Pancras undoubtedly performed worst, but certain extenuating circumstances, and other authorities were far from blameless. Much was achieved in the circumstances with problems of legislation, current attitudes and continued parochialism. Certain negative forces attributed to current transitional attitudes and anxieties.
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