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within the Borough. Hours of opening and closing vary with local
requirements - in the town centre the conveniences are open from
5.30 a.m. Generally, however, this service is available between
the hours of 6.50 a.m. and 11 p.m. In ail the conveniences the
water closets are available without charge.
FREE WASHING FACILITIES - PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
For the past seven years, the Council has provided free washing
facilities at the main public conveniences, including the provision of
paper towels, and this service continues to be used to an increasing
extent and is much appreciated by the publico However, some
members of the public still prefer the paid washing facilities
which include the supply of a linen towel.
The above information on Street Cleansing, House and Trade
Refuse and Public Conveniences has been kindly supplied by the
Borough Engineer.
PUBLIC BATHS AND WASHHOUSES
The Council has four bathing establishments in the Borough.
This service includes swimming baths, slipper baths, Turkish Baths,
Public Laundry, and the use of the premises for social and sporting
activities during the winter.
The demand for the improved Public Laundry service at Plumstead
Baths continued to grow, and in the year under review 23,939 people
attended, against 18,295 for the previous year, and 12,924 in 1955/56.
Attendances for slipper baths in the year 1957/58 totalled
125,175.
Total attendances at the Baths in 1957/58 were 7099 987 - an
increase of approximately 43 per cent. on those recorded in 1950/51.
This remarkable increase is due mainly to two factors, (1) the
televising of swimming events which has increased the interest in
this sport, and (2) the greater importance which Education Authorities
are placing on the need for children to be able to swim. As evidence
of this, 84,600 children attended at the Baths in organised classes
in 1948/49, and in 1957/58 this figure had risen to 165,500.
Attendances during the year ended 31st March, 1958, were as
follows:-
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