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181
The Commissioners state that nearly 13,000 of the washers paid
the minimum charge of l½d., for one hour's attendance, "which
would seem to prove that the poorest occupants of the very
poor neighbourhood surrounding the baths, are availing
themselves of the benefit of the institution which was established
mainly for their advantage." It is added, that " the average
time occupied by each woman was under hours, at an
average charge of about 3½d., exclusive of soap, blue, etc."
The bathers, who in 1889-90 were 79,029, in 1890-91,89,491, in
1891-92, 93,557, were 104,276 in 1892-93—viz., males, 89,449,
and females 14,827: in the swimming baths, 58,179; and in
private baths, 46,097. The male bathers in the swimming
baths were 52,537, the women 5,642. The male bathers in the
private baths were 36,912, the women, 9,185. Taking both
classes of baths together, the patrons, men and women, of the
first class baths, were 28,940; of the second class baths,
26,513; of the third class baths, 48,823. There was an
increased attendance of bathers of all classes, of 10,719,
compared with the number in the previous year.
The Commissioners, in their Annual Report, state that
" the amount received (during the year) of the Vestry
towards the repayment of loans and interest, and to meet the
expenses of maintaining the institution, was .£5,639," being
somewhat more than equal to a rate of three farthings in the £
on the rateable value of the Parish.
The Sanitary Committee of the London County Council,
in their report for the year 1889-90, stated that, having "considered
the question of the advisability of the Council being
invested with powers to establish public baths and laundries
in all parts of London," they had "come to the conclusion
that this was not one of the questions that pressed most for
central administration, and that it might be deferred until
district councils are created"; and with this view the Council
concurred.