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50
In 1890 the Commissioners came to the conclusion that to
meet the requirements of the district it was necessary
to provide an additional Swimming Bath of modern
design, and for this purpose they proposed to utilise,
subject to the consent of the Vestry and the Local
Government Board, the two houses Nos. 14 and 15,
Marshall Street, belonging to the Vestry. The consent
of the Vestry was given to the proposal, and the Local
Government Foard held the usual public inquiry into
the circumstances. Although previous notice of the
inquiry had been widely given, only three ratepayers
attended to object. After hearing all the evidence
tendered, the inspector remarked that he had held
many similar inquiries, but did not call to mind one in
which it had been so clearly shown that a Bath would
impose so small a burden, if any, upon the ratepayers.
The Local Government Board subsequently gave their
consent, and the Commissioners erected the present
handsome Swimming Bath.
The cost of erecting the original building in 1851, and
furnishing and extending in 1861, was about £21,000,
which sum was borrowed on the security of the Poor
Rate. The last instalment of the loan in respect of this
amount was paid in 1891. The cost incurred in the
erection and fitting of the new Swimming Bath
amounts to £5,849 13s. 8d., after deducting the amount
contributed by the Vestry for the construction of the
storage accommodation which has been provided under
the Baths for the extension of the Vestry's stoneyard.
To meet this expenditure the Commissioners borrowed
a sum of <£3,000 from the London County Council, and
obtained a grant of £1,576 13s. from the Poor Kate.
The total payments from the Poor Rate since the adoption
of the Act in 1846 to this Lady Day amount to
£36,932 3s. 1d. on the rates.