Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Clerkenwell, St. James and St. John]
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of an institution similar in character to the People's Palace at
Mile End, combining means of recreation and technical education.
Your memorialists are aware that the Commissioners are now
considering the future application of the charitable property or
endowments belonging to, or now applicable in, the parishes
enumerated in the second schedule of the City of London
Parochial Charities' Act, 1883, and that, subject to certain conditions,
the two first objects mentioned to which such funds may
be applied are—
First, to the promotion and education of the poorer inhabitants
of the Metropolis, whether by means of exhibitions or of
technical instruction, or of secondary education, of art education
or evening lectures, or otherwise, as to the Commissioners may
seem good; and
Second, the establishment and maintenance of libraries or
museums, or art collections within the metropolis, under such
provisions as may make them useful to the poorer inhabitants
thereof.
Your memorialists are also aware that in the application of the
charitable funds referred to, primary consideration is to be given
to the inhabitants of the parishes in which the funds are now
applicable, or to persons employed, though not resident, therein.
That your memorialists are anxious to co-operate with the
other sections of the metropolis, in endeavouring to supply the
means of physical, moral, and social improvement to the poorer
inhabitants of the community, and in considering the subject,
they have had regard to the views expressed by the Charity Commissioners,
on the occasion of a deputation waiting upon them,
on the 19th January last, to ask for a grant in aid of the proposal
to establish free public libraries in the parish of St. Pancras. It
was then stated that the object of the Commissioners was to deal
with districts more extensive than parishes, and in the report of
the Commissioners on this subject, their views are expressed as
follows:—"In the Regent Street Polytechnic, and the Beaumont
Institute or People's Palace, we have met with institutions which
appear, with a remarkable degree of success, to provide for the
younger members of the poorer classes, who are beyond the age
to which elementary education extends, those means both of
health and instruction, and particularly instruction of a technical