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58
In my annual report for last year some figures were given showing that
this prediction was amply justified by events, and the number of inmates
that have sought the shelter of the City Infirmary during 1907 has been
even greater than in the previous year.
During the twelve months ended 31st December, 1907, 391 persons (as
against 303 in 1906) frequenting this place became chargeable upon the ratepayers.
Of these 300 (against 210 in 1906) received orders for admission to
the City of London Infirmary at Bow, 63 were given orders for admission
to the City Workhouse at Homerton, and the remaining 28 received medical
advice only, being not ill enough to require treatment at the Infirmary.
A person has only to sleep one night in this place to qualify for admission
to the City Infirmary, and this method of securing medical treatment or
advice is becoming increasingly popular.
In July, 1907, the Churchwardens and Overseers of St. Botolph Without,
Bishopsgate, had occasion through their Chairman, Mr. Bull, C.C., to draw
the attention of the Sanitary Committee to the matter with a view of
protecting the interests of the Overseers and Ratepayers.
This question of persons in quasi-philanthropic institutions becoming
chargeable to the Ratepayers of the districts in which such places are situated
has arisen elsewhere than in the City.
" Bruce House," a County Council common lodging-house in the Strand,
and a Rowton House in Hammersmith Road are also cases in point.
With regard to the latter, it was reported by the Finance and General
Purposes Committee at a meeting of the Hammersmith Guardians on
29th January last* that they had considered a statement and particulars
submitted by the Clerk with reference to the cost of the cases admitted from
Rowton House during the year ended at Michaelmas, 1906, and recommended
that Rowton House, Ltd., be informed that the sum of £2,040, stated to be
the gross cost to the rates in the Annual Report of the Local Government
Board Inspector, is rather under than over the amount actually expended.
Nor is this the only objection to such an institution in the City. Much
annoyance was caused by some hundreds of undesirables congregating near the
building between the hours of three and five every afternoon before they were
admitted at the latter hour.
These men conduct themselves in anything but an orderly manner, and
complaints were also made of the nuisance caused by the freedom with
which they expectorate on the footpaths.
The assistance of the Commissioner of Police was invited with a view to
remedying these evils, and the Army officials have directed applicants for
* Daily Telegraph, 30th January, 1908.