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219
PUBLIC BATHS AND WASHHOUSES.
The Baths and Washhouses, at the junction of Lancaster-road
and Silchester-road, Notting Hill, opened in April,
1888, have been well supported. But for the majority of
parishioners the site is not sufficiently central for bathing ;
and obviously it is too remote for washing purposes. The
same objection would apply to any single site in the parish.
Much good might be effected by the provision of buildings
on a modest scale in several localities, to which the poor
could resort for the purpose of washing clothing. The
statistics contained in the successive Annual Reports of the
Commissioners for Baths and Washhouses, show a constantly
increasing use made of the washhouses, and are of a nature
to encourage the hope that it may be found not merely desirable,
but prudent also, to provide, at no distant time, for the
wants of the poor in the central and southern parts of the
parish. The total number of washers, 13,950 only, in the
year ended March 25th, 1889, rose to 31,113, in the year
ended March 25th, 1890, to 39,829 in the year ended
March 25th, 1891; to 42,528 in the year ended March 25th,
1892; to 46,843 in the year ended March 25th, 1893 ; and to
49,513 in the year ended March 25th, 1894. The number of
hours employed in washing in the six years consecutively,
was 38,709, 84,352, 106,560, 104,223, 103,900, and 102,934.
The Commissioners state that nearty 14,510 of the washers
paid the minimum charge of 1½d., for one hour's attendance,
and 16,000 paid for two hours' attendance, " which would
seem to prove that the poorest occupants of the very poor
neighbourhood surrounding the baths, are availing themselves
of the benefit of the institution which was established mainly
for their advantage." It is added that " the average time
occupied by each woman was under 26/16 hours, at an average
charge of about 3¼d., exclusive of soap, soda, blue, etc." The
bathers, who in 1889-90 were 79,029; in 1890-91, 89,491; in
1891-92,93,557 and in 1892-93, 104,276, were 119,798in 1893-94: