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34
PUBLIC BATHS AND WASH-HOUSES.
The Commissioners, appointed by the Vestry, submitted their
first Report on 17th November, 1892, in which they recommended
the Vestry to approve an Agreement which the Commissioners
had (subject to confirmation by the Vestry) entered into with
the Owners for the purchase of the site and buildings of the
Ferndale Road Baths.
The following is the substance of the Commissioners' Report
to the Vestry:—
A site was submitted to the Commissioners in Ferndale Road,
Brixton, midway between the Clapham and Brixton Roads. On
the site there is already a swimming bath, 150 feet in length, and
55 feet in breadth, which was formerly occupied and known as the
Ferndale Road Baths; and the whole premises have been until
Michaelmas last occupied and known as the Lambeth Polytechnic,
the institution being carried on under the superintendence of the
Rev. Freeman Wills. The entire site is upwards of an acre, the
total area being 48,605 superficial feet. The property has to the
north a frontage to the London, Chatham & Dover Railway of 366
feet; a frontage to Torrens Street, on the cast, of 168 feet, and to
Tintern Street, on the west, of 46 feet; and includes a house,
facing Ferndale Road on the south, with a frontage of 34 feet.
The swimming bath, already referred to, is in good substantial
repair. On the land arc an engine, with boilers, &c., and a well
of good water, which up to this time has been quite sufficient
to supply the swimming bath with water, and which will, it is
hoped, be sufficient to supply all the water necessary for the
complete baths and wash-houses contemplated by the Commissioners
on the site.
The price asked by the owners of the Ferndale Road site was
£10,500, but, after considerable negotiation, the Vendors agreed
to accept £8000 as the entire purchase money for the freehold of
the property, Mr. Freeman Wills receiving a portion of the
amount as a consideration for the transfer of a lease he held of
the site, which had a term of 17 years unexpired, and under which
he had a right to purchase the freehold for £8500 at any time
prior to 1895.