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14
DISTRESS COMMITTEE.
The offices were closed last year, but in February the outer offices were
used as a recruiting office for the Middlesex Regiment. Councillor Rowe, in
September, was appointed to fill Rev. T. Warren's place, and in January,
1917, the Council filled up outside vacancies on the Committee for the coming
year.
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES.
An interesting "early Victorian" carved-stone drinking fountain
has been preserved to the inhabitants. In the year 1861, the
late Thomas Angell erected this outside his nursery ground in Angel
Road, for the use of the passer-by. For some years the Angell Nursery has
been discontinued, and the fountain fallen into disuse and become derelict.
Our Architect took great pains to secure this picturesque relic for the district,
so it has been restored and re-fixed in a prominent position in the Council's
beautiful Pymmes Park. The sculptor was J. Tolmie. The carving of a
dolphin is in very bold relief, with a handsomely-moulded catch-basin.
POOR LAW INSTITUTION.
The Institution belonging to the Edmonton Board of Guardians, which
is in Fore Street Ward, receives a certain proportion of its inmates from this
district, and such proportion is treated as part of our population for statistical
purposes. The large bulk of the inmates, however, is derived from Tottenham,
Southgate, Wood Green, Hornsey, Enfield, Cheshunt (Herts.), and Waltham
Abbey (Essex), which places make up the large Poor Law Union of Edmonton,
and these inmates, of course, do not enter into our vital statistics. Mr. B.
Andrews is the master. In March, 1916, the estimated population of Edmonton
Union was 489,506; rateable value, £2,552,475. Amongst a total of
forty Guardians, Edmonton district proper has only four representatives.
Dr. Gregorson is acting as Medical Superintendent at the old Infirmary.
Since October, 1915, large portions of the Workhouse and old Infirmary have
been given over to the military. Mental and maternity cases are taken in
as before, but only acute or serious cases of illness or accident, as there are only
about -350 beds now for sick paupers. Convalescents are evacuated to Enfield or
Stepney Workhouses. The casual wards are still open.
The New Infirmary and Nurses' Home became a military hospital in April,
1915; for particulars of its work, see "The Foreword." In the same place
will be found the account of the Belgian refugees in the former Strand
Union buildings.
N.A.L.G O.
The local branch of the National Association of Local Government Officers
was established on the 19th March, 1914. No meeting has been held since