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37
As soon as the Croydon Union Infirmary was closed to the
infectious sick of this District, the Sanitary Authority took steps
to find a suitable site for an Isolation Hospital of their own.
Enquiries were made of a large number of owners of land in the
most central portions of the District, but for a long time unsuccessfully.
The Croydon Corporation was approached as to
some land in their possession near Beddington Corner, but
without buccess. The Conservators of Mitcham Common were
also approached, but they replied that they had no power to sull
land for this purpose, which was very unfortunate, for several
suitable sites, inconveniencing nobody, could have been found on
the fringes of the common. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners
were also approached in regard to some land near Waddon
Marsh-lane, but although willing to sell a portion to the
Authority, they declined to proceed further, upon Croydon
objecting to the proposal, the land in question being just within
the borough boundary, though not far from the Borough Isotion
Hospital.
Several private owners were also approached, but while some
were willing to sell very large areas only, others were willing to
sell suitable sites, until the purpose for which land was required
had to be explained.
However, towards the end of the year a site was found, the
owner of which was willing to entertain the subject, and eventually
the Sanitary Authority decided to purchase it, provided the
sanction of the Local Government Board was obtained.
The site is on sloping ground adjoining the river Wandle)
near Beddington Corner, and is just within the boundary of
Carshalton parish. It is central, approached by very good roads,
and provided with easy means of water supply and sewerage, its
only fault being that it is somewhat large. As the year closed,
application was made to the Local Government Board to sanction
a loan of £4,500, for the purchase of this site.
In the absence of any outside means of isolation, as much as
possible has been done to prevent the spread of infectious disease.