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84 BOROUGH OF PADDINGTON.
Inside the building several additions and alterations
have been made. In the first place, a great want has
been supplied by the construction of a room at
the end of the Large Hall, at a cost of £52. This is
much appreciated by persons engaging the Hall for
meetings, &c., and has enabled the Commissioners to
make several lettings which they otherwise could not
have done.
The Money-Takers' offices have also been re-arranged,
by which plan the whole of the First and Second Class
Bathers (both Male and Female) are served from one
office in the centre of the building. The cost of these
alterations has been £53 8s.
Machinery)
The great danger of the work in every department
coming to a sudden standstill by a breakdown of the
single engine, which was gradually getting out of repair,
was under the consideration of the Commissioners early
in the year, and they determined to purchase a new
engine from Messrs. Turner, of Ipswich, which was
fitted and ready for use in June, 1889. The old engine
was then taken down and put in good working order, so
that the engine-power being now duplicated, there is very
little chance of both being unfit for use at the same time.
Both engines have been placed in an engine-house and
away from the Laundry, and are now under the complete
control of the Engineer. A new Wringer has also
been provided, as it was found that the two in the Washhouses
were not sufficient for the washers when the place
was in full work. The whole of the above has entailed
an expenditure of £113 13s. 5d.
Staff.
The alterations in the Money-Takers' office, which
have just been completed, have enabled the Commissioners
to reduce the staff. This, combined with
various changes in the Engineer's department, will effect
a saving of £132 12s. per annum in the wages, after
providing for superannuation allowances to Mrs. Foster
and Mrs. Dando, who had served as money-takers for
nearly sixteen years, and who, in consequence of advanced
age, were unable to continue their duties.
In February Mr. Henry G. Holland, who had acted
as Clerk to the Commissioners since May, 1888, resigned,