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for women, the matter was referred jointly to the Works
and Sanitary Committees, and was several times under
discussion. Mr. Voss was requested to write to the
Secretary, and enquire what had already been done in
the matter by other Vestries. The following reply
was received:—
Ladies' Sanitary Association,
22, Berners Street, Oxford Street, W.,
London, December 3rd, 1878.
Dear Sir,—In reply to yours of the 28th November, I write to
mention that the Committee have appealed to all the Metropolitan
Vestries and District Boards, and that there is reason to be satisfied
that the matter referred to will be seriously considered by many Vestries
and Boards, particularly by St. George's, Hanover square, St. George's,
Southwark, St. Saviour's, Southwark, St. Martin's- in - the - Fields,
Paddington, St. Pancras, Kensington, Camberwell, St. James's, Westminster,
St. Luke's, &c.
I do not know of any public free provision having yet been made for
women, and have reason to believe none such exists in London. The
difficulty of obtaining sites is one that troubles some Vestries, and has
led the Committee to suggest the utilization of existing buildings over
which the Vestry may have some control, viz., at park lodges, cemeteries,
recreation grounds, model lodgings, hospitals, laundries,baths, dispensaries,
workhouses, School Board schools, tram and omnibus stations, churches
and chapels, or the opening of small shops where articles are or could be
sold in which women are interested.
The best plan, of course, would be special erections placed in a wellfrequented
part of the parish, not in a mews or middle of the roadway,
or close to a public house. If an attendant—and the Committee think
one is needful at each station—were supplied and a lavatory added, it
would be quite possible to make a charge for accommodation; but a free
W. C. should always exist at a paying station. The Committee simply
suggest a charge where a lavatory is supplied, bccause it is known that
supervision, &c., would be appreciated by many. The increasing
number of women (working) of all classes who travel about London
daily, render's such provision of serious moment.
The Committee earnestly hope that the Vestry of Bethnal Green may
find it possible to help a class who naturally find it difficult to ask for
public consideration in this matter, while experiencing grievous suffering.