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10
There are several places in this Parish well adapted for Model
Lodgings. There is one near Hunter Street, Brunswick Square,
where there is a large open space and a number of dilapidated
houses, called Compton and Poplar Places, at present in a fearful
sanitary condition, which may he purchased at a moderate price.
I believe that gentlemen of property could not possibly do
anything more likely to benefit their fellow-men than to enter upon
such undertakings as have been adopted by the two societies
mentioned. The main things requiring improvement in the houses
of the poor are—the water supply, which should be laid on to each
floor, the ventilation, the drainage, the water closets, and the dust
bins. In addition, there is needed the appointment of a trustworthy
person to look after the premises, and see that they are kept in
good condition.
An Association was, in 1854, established in St. Marylebone
of a kind similar to the ones above alluded to, and has carried on
its operations with great success. It now possesses three distinct
sets of houses,—Christ Church Buildings for 30 families; Lisson
Buildings for 28 families ; and 16 eight-roomed houses in Gray's
Buildings, Duke Street. The scheme is self-supporting, and appears
likely in a short time to pay a fair dividend. The Charter contained
no provision for borrowing any money, so that the capital was all
raised by shares.
The Society for Establishing Public Baths and Wash-houses have
also conferred much benefit on the working man. They have a large
establishment in George Street, Hampstead Road, in which there are
75 single baths, 12 vapour and shower baths, and 2 swimming baths.
The washing department contains 103 washing tubs with a boiler to
each, 8 wringing machines, 18 mangles, 35 drying closets with every
other Laundry accommodation, so as to serve for 500 washerwomen
daily.
The department for cleansing and purifying the dwellings of the
poor supplies lime wash and chlorides, with the use of pails and
brushes, at a very trifling cost.
During last year 83,737 persons have used the baths, whilst
the clothes of 423,148 poor persons have been washed, and 4,157
sets of rooms have been cleansed and purified.
The benefits of this establishment are immense, by promoting
habits of cleanliness, and placing the means of bathing within the
reach of nearly all; but for the very poor free baths are desirable.