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]
This page requires JavaScript
33
The promotion and extension of Provident Institutions for
working men and women.
The establishment and maintenance of Convalescent Hospitals.
The general improvement of the condition of the Poor.
In 1887 the Charity Commissioners issued statements
classifying the funds, and showing the
present application of them, and as they were then
in a position to proceed to make the Schemes, the
question was ripe for consideration and discussion.
In December, 1887, the Vestry received a communication
from the London Municipal Reform
League, giving reasons why Open Spaces should
be one of the principal objects for the use of the
surplus funds, and in January, 1888, a letter from
the Vestry of Chelsea, expressing the opinion that
the promotion of Technical Education is an object
to which preference should be given.
It was thought that as Public Libraries were
among the objects for the application of the fund,
some aid might be obtained for the Clerkenwell
Library, then just called into existence by the vote
of the ratepayers, but this hope was dispelled by
the answer of the Charity Commissioners to a
Deputation from the Parish of St. Pancras, who
approached them with a similar view, that they
did not favor the distribution of these funds to
individual parishes, but wished to give them a
broader scope. The Vestry, therefore, on the 1st
March, 1888, passed a resolution to invite the
views of the other Vestries and District Boards of
Central London as to the desirability of a joint
Deputation to the Charity Commissioners, urging
the very strong claims of Central London, where
so many of the city workmen live, to participate in
the disposal of the Fund.
The Vestry of St. Luke, and the Holborn
District Board of Works responded to the invitation,