The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-06 00:00:00

ST. THOMAS'S HOSPITAL.

Mr. LAWLEY then moved that the petition and memorial
of the parishes opposing the scheme of the Governors of St.
Thomas's Hospital for the erection of the new building at
Stangate should be read.

It was signed by Mr. Rendell on behalf of the delegates
of the different p9titioning districts, which comprise the
whole of the parishes, boards of guardians, and boards of
works in Southwark, Lambeth, Clapham, Camberwell, and
Newington, containing a population of nearly 400,000 souls.
They objected to Stangate as a site for the proposed new
hospital on several grounds, the principal of which Ni ere,
that they believed that it was not a healthy position, and
that it would be very inconvenient for the poorer classes,
who had for 300 years enjoyed the advantages of the hospital
at a spot close to their own residences, to go to such a die..
tance as Stangate. Upon these and other important grounds
they asked the Corporation of London, who, they said, had
been such great benefactors to the different Royal hospitals,
and who had always taken such deep interest in endeavour-
ing to render them fully available for the important objects
for which they were founded, to render them assistance in
opposing in the Court of Chancery the proposed scheme for
the erection of the new hospital at Stangate.
Mr. H. L, Taylor, Deputy Elliott, Dr. Saunders, and one
or two other gentlemen, put some questions to Mr. Rendell,
in answer to which he stated that the parishes and districts
he represented on the present occasion had not agreed upon
the advisability of any other site for the erection of the hos-
; but the object they now principally sought to obtain was
to preven: it from being erected at Stangate, which they con-
sidered a most obts'ectionable spot for the reasons they re-
°+- and particularly on the ground of
ferred to in their petit',
•••ed to the Registrar-General's
its unhealthiness, and he refe.-
H also stated that they
reports in support of this assertion.
considered Bethlehem Hospital, the e't"l9rreYs, Gardens, or
the piece of land at Newington, that had beau.
.suggested on
of the
former occasions, were all better sites for the ereeL'..'n
new hospital than Stangate, and they were undoubt. dIY
more central. He added, in answer to a question put to
him, that he believed it would be necessary to apply for an
act of Parliament in order to obtain possession of either of
the sites he had referred to ; but he said he apprehended
that this would not create any difficulty, and that the
Legislature would readily assist in obtaining a healthy and
appropriate spot for such a noble institution. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. LAWLEY then addressed the Court in support of the
petition, and he explained that unless something was done
at the present moment it might be too late, and the noble
hospital which for 300 years had rendered such important
benefits to a large mass of the poorer classes would be
erected at an inconvenient spot, and they would be deprived
of the advantages they had heretofore enjoyed, and to
which they had an undoubted right. (Hear, hear.) He
went on to say that the Corporation of London had contri-
buted largely to all these noble institutions, and had always
taken great interest in them ; and it appeared to him that
it was the duty of the Corporation to endeavour to avert
what he believed to be an impending evil, as affecting this
important institution. The hon. member went into some
details into connexion with the subject, and concluded by
moving that the petition be referred to the General Pur-
poses Committee, for them to take such steps in the matter
as they might deem advisable.
4tr. 111 L. TIMOR 6ecumieti the motion, and ttought.