The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-19 00:00:00

ST. THOMAS'S lIOSPI24L.

A quarterly court of the governors of this hos-
pital. Was held yesterday at the Terminus Hotel,
London-bridge, and, owing to the recent discus-
sions concerning the future site of the new building,
Was more fully attended than usual. Sir J. Mus-
grove, the president, was in the chair.
The clerk read the minutes of the special general
court held on the 28th of October, when the resolu-
tion granting powers to the grand committee to se-
lect a site for the new hospital was passed ; and
also the minutes of a meeting of the grand com-
mittee on the 11th inst., when, inter alia, the fol-
lowing resolution was adopted :
" That, considering all the circumstances, with
the very important duty of the purchase of a site
for a new hospital, this committee is of opinion that
the purchase should be conditional upon the ap-
proval of a general court to be summoned for that
purpose."

Mr. Tire, M.P., then rose, and said under ordi-
nary circumstances the simple motion would be to
approve the minutes just read, but as there were
some special features in one or two points he desired
to say a few words that the effect of the resolutions
might be thoroughly understood. At the last
general meeting it would be recollected that a reso-
lution was passed which authorised the grand com-
mittee to purchase a site for the new hospital, sub-
ject to the approval of the Court of Chancery and
the Attorney-General. At that meeting it was
distinctly stated that neither the treasurer nor, as
he believed, any member of the grand committee
had made up their minds as to any particular site.
An idea seemed to have gone abroad that this re-
solution settled a foregone conclusion, but he would
repeat in the strongest terms for himself that he
had not made up his mind as to any particular site,
and he thought he might say for the grand com-
mittee that, although Wandsworth might have been
mentioned with other places, yet it had never been
selected as the spot to be ultimately chosen by any
one of them. It was a mistake, therefore, to sup-
pose that the resolution of the 28th of October, de-
termined the removal of the hospital to Wandsworth-
common. Since the resolution was passed the Grand
Committee had met and adopted a resolution to the
effect that after they should have carefully con-
sidered every suggestion that might be made to
them, and every question as to the suitability of
any site, having regard to economy, to the arrange-
ments and accommodation of the medical men and
the medical school, before deciding upon the site
that the approval of the governors generally should
be invited. That resolution was intended to satisfy
every one that the Grand Committee were sincere
in their desire to act in accordance with the views
of the governors. The Grand Committee had no
object whatever in view but that which every
governor desired—the advantage and extended use-
fulness of the charity ; and, therefore, they wished
to afford every governor an opportunity of hearing
the reasons for the selection of any particular site
at the proper time. (Hear.) That resolution had
been communicated to a gentleman who took an
active part at the last Court, but that gentleman it
appeared was desirous of pressing his particular
-views upon the governors. He would remind the
Court that if they considered the Surrey-gardens
the best site, nothing could be more injurious to the
interests of the charity than to announce that
opinion, as the prospects of making a good bargain
would be greatly diminished if the sellers knew
that the governors had fixed absolutely upon their
property as the fitting site for the new hospital.
The Committee were desirous of avoiding delay, and
wished to go on receiving and considering any sug-
gestions that might be made, and when they had
come to a conclusion of the subject they would then
come before the governors, and leave them to adopt
or reject their recommendations. (Hear, hear.) The
hon. gentleman concluded by moving the confirma-
tion of the minutes.
Mr. Alderman FINNIS seconded the motion.
Mr. ADAMS said he was glad to find that the
course adopted on the 28th of October was not to
be persisted in. AU the acts of the Grand Com-
mittee, by the by-I've, requited the confirmation
of a General Court, and he was glad to find the
Grand Committee were inclined to return into the
proper path.
Mr. ELLIOTT thought the question was too impor-
tant to be allowed to remain as it was. He had
announced his intention of moving to rescind the
resolution of the 28th of October, but his notice had
not been entered upon the paper of business: The
case was this :—Giving the Grand Committee ere-
dit for the most benevolent feelings towards the
poor, the fact remained that their proceedings had
not been orderly, or in accordance with the rules
of the charity. Thus, according to rule 1, the re-
solution which was submitted to the Court three
weeks since ought to have appeared upon the no-
tice paper sent to each governor, EO that every one
might have known that such a resolution would be
proposed. (Hear, hear.) That resolution was
therefore irregular, and he asked leave of the ehair-
man to move that it be rescinded, although the
etriet notice of such motion had not been given.
The PRESIDENT said he must deny that their
proceedings had been disorderly. It was not the
practice at the meeting of the governors to invert
upon the agenda paper all the proceedings of the
Grand Committee. The motion of the hon. gover-
nor might not be strictly in order, but the
motion
Grand
Committee would ra no objection to the
being received as an amendment if the governors
would permit it. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. ELLIOTT said he accepted with pleasure the
concessions that had been made, and should move
that the resolution of October 28 be rescinded. In
the present condition of their affairs he thought the
governors should strongly express their opinions
that nothing should be done as to the selection of a
site coming before them, and also that the previous
resolution of the 28th of October was irregular and
illegal. (Hear.) It was required by one of their
rules that all summonses be issued at least a week
before each court day, and that notice of any spe-
cial business should be inserted in the summons,
but in the summonses for the meeting three weeks
since no notice of special business was inserted.
(Hear, hear.) Without entering upon the question
of site, or whether the resolution of the 28th of Oct.
was wise or not, he asked the Court, for the sake of
regularity and order, to rescind the resolution.
Mr. Aderman LAWRENCE seconded the amend-
ment. He said he had come prepared to pro-
test against the governors, who were acting under
the solemn obligation of an oath, delegating their
Powers and duties to any particular number of their
body. (near, hear.) He was convinced that the
former resolution was unsound, for, while he was
prepared to
object
allow the Grand Committee to inquire
into and
t negotiate for a site for the new hospital,
he did
and leaving ttying the hands of the governors
eoir the Attorney-General or the Court of
Chancery
their
duty of controlling the acts of the
Mr. Alderman en
at :Mis hoped that they would be
able to arrive
unanimity in this matter. He
thought the resolutior
Y the 28th. of October was
objectionable and informla-
,but he did not impute to
the committee any seirisil
ulltai
hoped the President and the committee
(No, nO. ) He
"
ttee would ac-
cept the amendment,
for their
i et .
Tnproposal was
tantamount to rescinding the original revolution.
Mr. Alderman DAKIN also thought eras desir-
able that the court should commence f
a "all in this
important matter.
The PRESIDENT said he was in the hands the
court, but he must observe that in the summonses
for the 28th of October it was stated that the meet-
ing was called to receive the theminuterseosfasmight
beGrand
Committee, and to adopt such measures
considered desirable with respect to the question of
a site for the construction of a new hospital.
HALL said the real question
The Rev. NEWMAN
for them to consider vas, whether th® hospital
(No, and hear.)
should be taken into the country.
That was the important question, while hitherto
of form,
they had only been discussing
d that there
Mr. Alderman COPELAND observe
a question
would be another opportunity for discussing the
No one
question suggested by the rev. gentleman•
thought of imputing improper motives to any mem-
ber of the Grand Committee. (Hear.)
The PRESIDENT said the solicitor of the charity

-
was of opinion th.t the resolution of the 28th of

October was regular.
Mr. Alderman WILSON differed from that opinion

—(hear, hear)—and thought it was clear that the rules
of the charity had not been observed upon the occa-
sion referred to. The powers of the Grand Com-
mittee would not be impaired if the resolution were
rescinded, because they would be able still to search
for and fix upon a site which they might think best ,
fitted for the purpose, and when they had fixed 1
upon a site then a special meeting of the Governors
could be called to decide upon it. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Alderman GABRIEL thought there had been
irregularity.
The CLERK remarked that the by-law that had
been referred to applied to notices of motion upon
the requisition of a certain number of governors,
and not to meetings summoned in the ordinary

manner.
Mr. Alderman GABRIEL did not admire the dis-
tinction attempted to be drawn. Surely, handing
over the selection of site to the Grand Committee
was special business, and yet no notice of it was
given in the summonses. (Hear, hear, and "No.")
After some further discussion,
Mr. TITE replied, and denied that the Grand
Committee was a clique, as had been said of it ou t
of doors. (" Question.") It did not consist of the
treasurer and his three eons only, but of 40 gentle-
men. (" Question," and "Chair.") The commit-
tee were asked to give way, but others ought to give
way too. It was proposed now to cure an alleged
irregularity by an undoubted irregularity—a motion
without due notice. The resolution of the Grand
Committee insured to the governors an opportu-

nity of discussing the question of site, and he could
not understand why the amendment should be
pressed. If the meeting were adjourned for a week
—(" No, no !")—he thought a resolution might be
drawn up that would meet the wishes of all parties.
(" Divide.") _ _

The Court then divided, and the amendment for
rescinding the resolution of October 28 wascarried
by 47 against 28 votes. The minutes of the
Grand Committee for November 11 were confirmed
with the exception of that portion which referred
to the resolution just resciude d. _

Mi. Alderman DAKIN urged the propriety of
considering at once the question of removing the
hospital to the country.
Alderman CHALLIS wished it to be understood
abroad that the Grand Committee had beforehand
practically conceded all that had been required that
day,
The TREASURER (Mr. Baggallay) said, as it was
necessary to intrust power to some persons, it would
be folly to limit them to a particular area of choice, for
if that were done the owners of property in the chosen
district would be more difficult to deal with, and the
funds of the charity would be unfavourably affected
thereby,
Mr. STEWART called attention to a resolution of
the governors on the 4th of February, giving the
Grand Committee power to seek for a site and to
snake arrangements.
Mr. TITS remarked that that was before the pas-
sing of the Act of Parliament. The Grand Com-
mittee had control over the present hospital but for
a limited period, and it should be left for them to
find some proper site for the reconstruction of the
Hospital, In conclusion, he moved a vote of thanks
' to the President.
• Mr. Alderman LAWRENCE seconded the motion,
which was carried unanimously.
The PRESIDENT, in returning thanks, said he
could assure the governors that nothing would be
done without the question of site being again brought
I before them, and a full opportunity being afforded
for a consideration of all points connected with the
I subject.
The Court then broke up.