The Royal Albert Institution, Lancaster : for the feeble-minded belonging to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland fifty-third annual report.

  • Royal Albert Institution (Lancaster, England)
Date:
1917
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The Royal Albert Institution, Lancaster : for the feeble-minded belonging to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland fifty-third annual report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    25/56 (page 21)
    circumstances still preventing the Committee’s acceptance of the long-standing invitation to visit Durham. In his opening address, the Right Hon. Lord Richard Cavendish, C.M.G., who presided, made the following reference to the position and requirements of the Institution : Looking back on the past, it was satisfactory to record that throughout the northern counties the Institution had met with generous and warmhearted support. This was a matter for particular gratification, because the demands upon the time and generosity of the community had been such as never before existed in this country. At the same time, they must reiterate their earnest appeal for increased support. There was, and would be for many years to come, an ever-increasing demand upon the resources of the Institu¬ tion, and to maintain its present high level continued and adequate support would be required, especially in view of the fact that the cost of maintenance had been very largely affected by the general advance in wages and the enormously increased cost of food and other necessities of life. With regard to the future, whatever the policy of the Government might be with regard to the feeble-minded, the Royal Albert was likely to be in as urgent demand as ever. They must do their utmost to preserve its voluntary nature, since they had in it an Institution which was well and economically managed, and which always endeavoured to keep pace with the times and to take advantage of the newest and most improved ideas based upon scientific investigation. Addresses were also given by Mr. G. D. Killey and Mr. W. G. Welch (who had just been appointed Vice- Chairmen of the Central Committee), Dr. G. E. Shuttleworth, Hon. Consulting Physician and first Medical Superintendent (who said that on his annual visits to the Institution he always found something new and good in the direction of progress), Mr. Wm. Briggs (Mayor of Lancaster), Sir Norval W. Helme, M.P., Sir Alfred Sharpe, K.C.M.G., C.B., Rev. W. L. Appleford, Mr. James Heald, Mr. George Satterthwaite and Mr. J. G. Wright (Lancaster), Mr. P. J. Hibbert (Grange- over-Sands), Dr. W. R. Parker (Kendal), Dr. R. C. Brown (Preston) and Mr. G. J. Booth (Arkholme). Long-service medals were presented by the Chairman to ten members of the staff. During the year, the accommodation of the Institution has been severely taxed, the average number of patients in residence having risen from 706 to 725. On June 30th, when the financial year closed, the inmates numbered 733, made up of 487 males and 246 females ; and there were then twenty-four eligible applicants waiting for admission as soon as places were available for them, so that the pressure seems likely to continue until it can be relieved by an enlargement of the Institution. Appended is a table showing the number of inmates from each county : Right Hon. Lord Richard Cavendish, C.M.G. Speakers. Medals. Number and Classification of Patients.