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“The Swimming Baths have been greatly appreciated; the number of persons
“using them during the months of May, June, July and August, averaging 3,325 per
“week. As an instance that a great public want has been supplied to the inhabitants
“of this and the adjoining parishes, it may be stated that during the 14 days ending
“20th July, 1881, 10,249 persons used the Swimming Baths, and that on one day
“alone, viz. Saturday the 21st July, upwards of 2,000 persons paid for tickets for
“those baths.
“Several existing Swimming Clubs in the immediate neighbourhood, which were
“formerly obliged to go as far as Peckham and other Baths, immediately availed them“selves
of the opportunity afforded in this parish, and transferred their head-quarters
“to these baths, while arrangements were made with the Masters of the Keeton’s-road
“Board School and the National Schools in the Deptford Lower-road, whereby every
“hoy attending those schools is enabled to learn swimming at a trifling cost.
“In addition to the existing swimming clubs, new clubs have been started in this
“and the adjoining parishes, and several very successful swimming matches have been
“held in the 1st Class Bath, there being on each occasion a large number of spectators
“present.
“With regard to the Wash-houses, 3,850 Washers have used the Laundry, and
“the demand at times has been in excess of the accommodation provided, so that the
“Commissioners have every reason to feel satisfied that this department has been fully
“as successful as could have been anticipated.”
On the 12th April, 1881, upon the application of the Commissioners for Public
Baths and Wash-houses, the Vestry, under the provisions of the Act 9th and 10th
Vict. cap. 74, intituled “An Act to Encourage the Establishment of Public Baths
and Wash-houses,” issued a precept or order upon the Overseers of the Poor of this
Parish, to levy with and as part of the rate for the relief of the poor of the Parish of
Rotherhithe, and pay over to the Treasurer appointed to receive the same, at the
London and Westminster Bank (Southwark Branch), to the credit of the said Commissioners
the sum of £500, on or before the 12th day of April, 1881, to enable the
said Commissioners to pay the interest due on the Loans of £1,500 and £24,500,
together with the second instalment of the said Loan of £1,500 borrowed for carrying
into execution in this Parish the before mentioned Act Also,
On the 18th October, 1881, upon the application of the said Commissioners, the
Vestry issued a precept or order under the before mentioned Act, upon the Overseers
of the Poor of this Parish, to lew with and as part of the Hate for the Relief of the
Poor of the Parish of Rotherhithe, and pay over to the Treasurer appointed to receive
the same at the London and Westminster Bank, to the credit of the said Commissioners
the sum of £1,000 on or before the 1st day of December, 1881, to enable them
to pay the interest due to the said Ist of December, 1881, on the Loan of £24,500
together with the second instalment off the said Loan borrowed for carrying into
execution in this Parish the before mentioned Act.