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59
Board with reference to the proposed Agreements with the
Vestries and District Boards in the Metropolis, for the reception
and treatment at the Managers' Hospitals of so-called nonpauper
patients, for which provision was made by section 15 of
the Poor Law Act, 1879. The subject being important, and the
Managers having manifested a disposition to settle it in a satisfactory
manner, I think it well to recall the circumstances out of
which it arose, and to explain, upon the ground of historical
interest, the position of affairs as they stood when I last referred
to the subject in my eleventh monthly report (November 8th, 1886,
page 74).
It may be said, then, that prior to the passing of the abovenamed
Act, the Managers had no legal power to receive “ nonpaupers
” at their hospitals. But they did admit, without
question, whatever patients were sent by relieving officers; so
that, in parishes and districts where (as in this parish) a good
understanding prevailed between the Vestry or District Board and
the Poor Law Guardians, the Sanitary Authority had no difficulty
in obtaining admission orders for other than strictly pauper
patients. But in parishes and districts where the Guardians refused
to remove “ non-paupers,” the Sanitary Authority was
placed in a difficulty, there being, practically, no hospitals, other
than those of the Asylums Board, available for the reception of
such cases. Certain Vestries and District Boards, placed in this
difficulty, and being desirous of arranging with the Managers for
the admission of “ non-pauper ” cases, made representations to
the Local Government Board with the view to enabling legislation.
A deputation, moreover, waited upon the Board, in March, 1879,
with reference to the subject (Mr. Lindsay, a member of your
Vestry, being spokesman), the result being the passing of the 15th
Section of the Poor Law Act, 1879, above referred to, by which
the Managers were authorised, with the sanction of the Board, to
enter into contracts with any of the Metropolitan “ Nuisance
Authorities.” But the section was not put into operation, and as
time went on, the restrictions with regard to admission of patients
were tacitly allowed to fall into abeyance. To such an extent