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51
the north, and one on the site that has always appeared to me very
suitable for such a building, namely, in the disused burial ground
of the parish church. A mortuary in this place (and surely none
more fitting for the temporary reception of our dead!) could be
superintended by the keeper of the Vestry Hall: the bodies of
the poor on which inquests have to be held could be removed to
it, and doubtless arrangements could be made to enable the coroner
to hold his court at the Vestry Hall, old or new. The average
yearly number of inquests is about 160-say three a week-and it
is the custom when practicable, to hold two or more inquests on
the same day, so that no great inconvenience would arise if such
an arrangement were carried out; and I have reason to believe that
it would be acceptable to the coroner, whom I consulted on the
subject some years ago. It may, perhaps, be alleged that jurymen
would be put to unnecessary trouble in coming long distances from
north and south to the centre of the parish, but in answer to this
it is only neccssary to observe that by a discreet exercise of his
powers in selecting jurors (who are usually drawn from the
locality of the deaths) the coroner's officer could reduce the probable
inconvenience to an insignificant minimum.
BATHS AND WASH-HOUSES.
The question of baths and wash-houses was not mooted last
year; I venture to hope, however, that as soon as the new
Vestry Hall question haa been settled this will be taken in
hand. The St. Pan eras Vestry are erecting a second establishment
for the convenience of their numerous constituents.
The East of London is moving in the matter. St. George's,
Hanover Square; St. Margaret's, Westminster; and St. James',
have public baths; Hammersmith has provided baths through
the agency of a limited liability company, and Chelsea is doing
the same. Kensington will be last in the race, and would be
badly off indeed but for the propinquity of the superb establishment
provided by the Paddington Vestry in the Queen's
Road, Bayswater. Let us hope, however, that if we are " last" we
shall be the reverse of " least;" and that when we do build
baths and wash-houses they will be on a scale commensurate
with the size and grandeur of the parish, and replete with all
the improvements suggested by experience.
In concluding my report, I have again the satisfaction of
acknowledging the courteous readiness of the parochial officers
generally to assist me in the performance of my duties, by
information of infectious diseases, etc. The Guardians and
the Dispensary Committee have always exhibited a desire to
co-operate with your Vestry in measures for improving the
public health. The sub-district registrars of deaths, etc. (Messrs.
Barnes and Hume) spare no trouble to supply me with