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of the day by our frequent visits. They are aware
that orders are not issued unnecessarily, and that if
once issued they must be obeyed, or would certainly
be followed up by a Vestry Order, which, under the
Metropolis Local Management Act, subjects them to a
penalty for neglect. The cases which had to be litigated
were few in proportion to the whole number, and
in only one instance was the summons dismissed.
Before rushing to legal tribunals to settle disputes and
compelling owners to spend money in needful Sanitary
improvement, a personal appeal seldom fails to convince
them of an ultimate advantage, and that justice
is intended for all parties. Owners of property fall
into compliance with reasonable suggestions.
Public Baths and Laundry.
In my annual Report of 1868, and again in 1869,
increased facilities for cleanliness of person and garments
were strongly advocated, and the beneficial influence
of ablution as a Sanitary agency upon the health
and comfort of large numbers of artizans engaged in the
smoky atmosphere of shops in this parish. It was then
suggested to petition the Vestry to put into force the
Act for erecting Public Baths and Washhouses, and
that if some intelligent member appealed to the Vestry
the proposition would almost unanimously meet with
the support it merited. The Vestry were asked to do
a great thing, and it is gratifying to me to mention
that they have done it, and that I witnessed the
ceremonial of laying the foundation stone of a noble
edifice designed to secure the primary necessities of
health and comfort. "Wash and be clean."