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matters required thought, such as electric lighting, hot water
installation, provision for escape from fire, and the purchase of
furniture, from Lawson Tait beds and cots to desks, cupboards, chairs
and so on. One can imagine the consideration, the plans in effect, the
long hours spent by all concerned in bending themselves to this task.
Curiously enough there were not wanting some people (not
Councillors) who feared that the proposed Maternity Hcme might
prejudice the amenities of Wickham Road, and it is on record that the
darkling fears thus harboured and expressed were soothed by the Mayor
and Committee.
Experience was sought by visits to other Homes in London, and
doubtless from such, and from a study of local conditions, it was wisely
decided that preference should be given to those whose lack of
accommodation or home conditions made confinement at home
undesirable. Other provision was to be made for abnormal cases.
Tentatively the Committee decided on a minimum fee of 2 guineas a
week with a registration fee of ten shillings and sixpence, the latter to
merge in the first week's fee.
It was felt that the staff should comprise a nurse-matron, four
trained nurses, with a cook and two maids, and it was arranged that
the rough laundry work should be done at the Public Baths and
Washhouses in a specially reserved cubicle. It would be unfair to the
past to skim lightly over the alterations made on behalf of generations
of mothers and babies yet unborn ; the work was deemed to be worth
doing well. Consider the Borough Surveyor's responsibilities for a
moment. He reported on the need of a coal heated cooking range
fitted with a hot water boiler in the kitchen to connect up to the existing
hot flow and return pipe, this system to be supplemented by a pair of
gas heated " Potterton " boilers fitted with thermostatic automatic gas
regulating valve, hired from the South Metropolitan Gas Company, at
7s. 6d. a year.
For central heating, a new tubular boiler was needed with boiler
range, flue and circulating pipe, with 20 radiators in place of existing
fireplaces. Sanitary appliances and drainage, also gas heating to
supplement coal heating, were duly installed. Asbestos jointless
flooring, distempering of walls and installation of the telephone were
completed, and the day of the opening ceremony, July 9th, 1921, by
H. R. H. Princess Louise, drew near.