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74
The organisation suggested in the preceding Table would
mean the acquisition of six or seven sets of premises, either by the
conversion of existing buildings or by new buildings. It is clear
that at the present juncture it would be difficult to obtain a building
in every case suitable for the purpose, but it is better that the
scheme should be placed before the Committee in its entirety. In
my opinion, the Committee should direct its attention more particularly
at the present time to the Centres at:—
(a) Upper Norwood, where premises can now be obtained.
(b) Johnson Road; Land is available behind the Princess
Road School and buildings of a semi-temporary nature might
be put up.
(c) The main Centre in West Croydon—the existing
Centre, 288, London Road, is very crowded, and the removal
of the Dental and Eye Clinics would remove pressure from
the Town Hall accommodation to some extent.
Sick Nursery.—The complaints from neighbours as to nuisance
from Sick Nursery have been revived recently, and again threats
of legal proceedings have been made. It is quite impossible to
restore ailing children to health without a garden space into which
they can be taken in good weather. This cannot be done at present
owing to the complaints and threats made, and I do not feel
it possible to continue much longer this work in the present manner.
I feel strongly that in the end the best action of the Corporation
will be to provide a Convalescent Home for Mothers and Ailing
Infants on the Russell Hill Site. A considerable period of time is
bound to elapse before this can be in working order, and an intermediate
stage during which Sick Nursery should be accommodated
in an adapted house should be realised at the earliest possible
moment.
Yours faithfully,
R. VEITCH CLARK.
N.R.—The map showing the existing and proposed sites of
Centres referred to herein will be exhibited at the
meeting.