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178
1. That the very large and necessitous portion of the
Parish which would be supplied by the Birk beck site,
would be almost entirely unprovided for by the Victoria
Baths.
2. That by the selection of the Birkbeck site a saving
of at least £7,000 would be effected.
3. That it is our decided opinion that the Birkbeck
establishment would yield a fair trading return, while the
approaches to the Victoria Baths (especially at the North
end which is completely hemmed in) and the situation are
such as to render it more than probable that the annual
trading account would have to be balanced by a contribution
out of the rates.
We have therefore decided to adhere to our first
proposal, and trust that the Vestry will, without further
delay, sanction the borrowing of the necessary sum of
money so that the Birkbeck site may be immediately
acquired, and steps be taken to secure the opening of the
establishment before the bathing season of 1889 commences.
Mr. Pennack, the freeholder of the Birkbeck site, has
expressed his willingness to reduce his price to £4,600, or
to submit to an independent valuation to be obtained by us,
and we, believing that £13,000 will cover the entire cost of
the establishment, are prepared to substitute that amount
for the £15,000 previously named.
We have the greater confidence in recommending this
site, from the fact that the three swimming; baths which
would be provided would give 25 more dressing boxes than