Page 22 - Moreton Village Only Book

22 Moreton Village Only

The Housing Act of 1919 was equally important when, for the first time, the
Government undertook the role of housing provider for its working population. This had
been the responsibility of major employers and charitable institutions – often in liaison
with philanthropic individuals.
Now, new homes for rent were to be
financed by central government, but built
and subsequently managed by local
authorities. It appears that Moreton was
quick to benefit from this new initiative as
four new houses were built on the old
allotment land and called The Furlongs. The
name “Furlongs” is derived from a word
used during the old open field system of
farming when the ground available was
divided into strips which were shared
between the villager freeholders. The houses
were let to villages who were transferring
Built on the old allotments, the four new houses from the old cottages at the eastern end of
for rent which were named The Furlongs. the village, some of which had already been
condemned as unfit for human habitation.

A number of the young men of the village
emigrated to Canada in the early part of the
century. The precise dates are not known for
all of them, but it is recorded that some of
Alfred Howes’ sons went soon after the end
of the Great War. It seems likely that this would
be the time most of them would have chosen,
for despite Lloyd Georges’ comments about
providing a country “fit for heroes to live in”,
an improvement in general social and
economic conditions must have seemed to
them a long time coming.
Willow Cottages which housed three families.
Alfred Howes’ boys, no doubt in response to some initiative from the Canadian
Government to stimulate further immigration to help to tend the vast agricultural lands of
the central Provinces, worked initially for the Canadian Government for a nominal wage
only. They were obviously thrifty lads for we know that after just a couple of years they
were able to send home sufficient funds to enable Alfred to purchase all three Willow
cottages for £60. Meanwhile the Canadian Government, as part recompense, settled a
large parcel of land (not the best grade we are informed) on the three brothers, which was
said to be 15 miles across! This seems a tremendous distance and whilst it may be true, it
could equally be an estimate expressed in the
exaggerated grandiose language so frequently
used by our cousins in the New World. The
general rule for immigrants in these
circumstances was an allotment of 160 acres
of land free, and a loan granted with which to
buy stock and essential equipment. Whilst a
few emigrants returned home disillusioned,
the majority prospered and became quite
affluent. Gilbert, one of Alfred Howes’ sons
did particularly well, and after his retirement
stood for Mayor of Vancouver. In addition to
his farming interests he also worked up a
substantial egg production business with an
The Furlongs as they are today. output of 55,000 eggs per week.
In 1924 a further Housing Act was passed which provided for the construction of
more houses for rent in the village and, as a result, ten new homes were built at The
Furlongs as a continuation of the original four, opposite the Royal Oak public house.
Some of the families were leaving the village at this time and the availability of the new
homes in The Furlongs saw many of the remainder moving into the new houses.