4
In the meantime, the Secretary called upon Mr. Percy
Alden, the then Chairman of the Technical Instruction Com-
mittee and Deputy-Mayor, in order to confer with him as to
the wishes and plans of the Club. Mr. Alden gave the question
most kind and appreciative consideration. It was felt that a
separate building was really needed, and after full discussion of
ways and means, Mr. Alden offered to write to Mr. Passmore
Edwards and place the matter before him. Mr. Edwards' reply
was most favourable, and at a meeting of the Town Council on
Tuesday, November 23rd, the Technical Instruction Committee
were enabled to report as follows :—
" That since their meeting on October 20th, when they reported that
they were of opinion that it would be decidedly advantageous to the
Borough if arrangements could be made to establish a county museum
at the Technical Institute, as proposed by the Essex Field Club, they
have had an interview with Mr. David Howard, J.P. the president, and
Mr. W. Cole, the hon. secretary, at the Institute, when those gentlemen
were shown over the building, and the plans were explained to them.
At this interview it was evident that some difficulty would be experi-
enced in affording the Club sufficient and suitable accommodation for
the Museum, and it was determined to adjourn the matter for further
consideration. In the meantime the Deputy-Mayor has been in com-
munication with Mr. J. Passmore Edwards, and has received from that
gentleman a letter, of which the following is a copy :—
'November 12th, 1897.
Dear Mr. Alden,
In answer to yours on the 9th inst., I beg to say that your sugges-
tion to provide a museum in West Ham, adjacent to the Technical
Institute, to accommodate the Essex Field Club's collection, is worthy
of practical adoption, and I willingly comply with your request to pro-
vide the necessary building at your estimated cost of £2,500, on con-
dition that it becomes municipal property to be maintained in
perpetuity by the Corporation, and that it be opened on Sundays.
Besides meeting the requirements of the Essex Field Club, I think you
might utilise the proposed museum by holding or having occasional loan
collections from South Kensington and other places, and so assist to
educate and brighten the lot of the working population of your populous
district.—Yours faithfully,
J. PASSMORE EDWARDS.
" The Deputy-Mayor also reported that he had been in communi-
cation with Messrs. Gibson and Russell, who had informed him that
they considered that a suitable building could be erected adjoining the
Institute and abutting on the shops in Romford-road. Your committee
are of opinion that Mr. Passmore Edwards' munificent offer removes
the difficulties in the way of an arrangement with the Essex Field Club,