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the Vestry Hall. Your Vestry's powers with regard to this
"necessary accommodation" are ample, but difficulty has been
experienced in giving effect to the provisions of the 88tli 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 obtained an Act enabling them to
purchase the site at Notting Hill to which I referred in my
report for 1882. 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 Washhouses. I am of opinion that much
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 washhouses 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, 1883, and in the first year nearly