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117
88th section of the Metropolis Management Act, which
enables the Nuisance Authority to "provide and maintain
urinals, water closets, and like conveniences, for both sexes,
in situations where they deem such accommodation to be
required,"
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 Vestry
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 obtained an Act enabling
them to purchase the site at Notting Hill, to which I referred
in my last report as being suitable for the purpose. It is
to be hoped, therefore, that we shall see next year the realization
of our long delayed hopes for the provision of Baths
and Wash-houses. I am of opinion that 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, and
that 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 Vestry Hall, was opened in July, and in the first
year nearly fifty bodies were deposited. The Mortuary