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152
Owing to the opposition raised by inhabitants in the neighbourhood
of the sites selected for such proposed erections, a
proposition was made, by a private individual firstly, and afterwards
by a Company, to provide chalets for the convenience of
the public, as a commercial speculation; but the Law and Parliamentary
Committee having reported that your Yestry have
no authority for placing obstructions in the public streets, the
matter fell through. In some other parishes the scheme has
been entertained favourably, and chalets have been erected:
there is one at Shepherd's Bush Green. Should the system be
found to work satisfactorily, means will doubtless be found to
overcome any legal difficulties that may appear to stand in the
way of its extension.
PUBLIC BATHS AND WASHHOUSES.
The Commissioners have recently published an interesting
report, setting forth the steps taken to give effect to the resolution
of your Yestry to provide public baths and washhouses.
A site which appeared very suitable, had, it was thought, been
secured at Notting Hill, in the centre of a large and somewhat
poor district; your Vestry's sanction had been given to the
purchase, whereupon the freeholder withdrew the terms
on which it was understood he was prepared to cede his interests.
The Commissioners are still making efforts to obtain a suitable
site. Great good might be effected by the provision of a number
of buildings, on a modest scale, in different parts of the
parish, to which the poor might resort for the purpose
of washing clothing, &c. The question of public wash-houses
might with advantage be separated from that of public baths.
MORTUARY.
The Mortuary in the Parish Churchyard, at the rear
of the Yestry Hall, was opened in July in the current
year. It comprises two chambers, one for infectious,
and the other for non-infectious, bodies, separated by a
"place provided for post-mortem examinations." This