Page:A History of Horncastle from the Earliest Period to the Present Time.djvu/144

Rh the site of 52, North Street, was purchased, and the present building was erected in 1866. In 1867 the old house in the churchyard was sold for £142 11s. 4d., and the new premises were occupied in the autumn of that year. It was built from the designs of Messrs. Bellamy & Hardy, Architects, of Lincoln, the contractor for the work being Mr. Robert Carter, Builder, of North Street, Horncastle. The original contract was for £765, but the ultimate cost, with furniture, lawyer's expenses, &c., amounted to £1,026 10s. 11d. It is subject to a ground rent of £1 to the Stanhope estate.

Of late years the support, by subscriptions, has on several occasions been inadequate. In January, 1899, there being a deficit of £70, the late Mr. J. Banks Stanhope gave the Governors a cheque for that amount. In the year 1905, there being again a serious deficit, application was made to the trustees of the Hurstcroft and Snowden charity, and they contributed £20 on condition that 25 poor children should receive medical treatment free of charge. A further sum of £53 14s. remaining as a surplus, in the hands of the Soup Kitchen Committee, was also given to the funds. Canon Quarrington, formerly Vicar of Horncastle, also contributed £20; and other donations made up a relief fund of £106 (see Report for the year). The debt was thus wiped out, but death having carried off many former subscribers, increased support will be needed in the future.

Legacies have been bequeathed to the institution by various persons, at different times, as follows: Dr. Harrison, by will dated Feb. 5th, 1820, left £100; the late H. J. Fielding, Esq., who died Aug. 10th, 1879, left by will £100; in 1884 the late Mr. T. Garfit bequeathed £100; ten £10 shares in the railway were bequeathed by Mrs. Fox Marshall in 1897; £100 was bequeathed by Mr. J. W. Hart, of Tetford, in 1900; Mr. John Bancroft left £50 in 1905; £357 were invested in Consols and £200 in railway shares, in 1899; a portion of this was sold in 1902, and £300 were invested in the Corn Exchange; the Dispensary premises were also insured for £800, instead of £600, in the County Fire Office, in 1902.

It will thus be seen that although the operations of the institution no longer embrace the extended area of the early years of its existence, it is still doing a most valuable work in the alleviation of suffering among the poor and needy, in both town and country for many miles round, and is thoroughly deserving of the increased support, which is required, to continue its efficiency. We trust that this will be recognized by the land owners and others, and that such assistance will be forthcoming.