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26
PUBLIC BATHS AND WASH-HOUSES.
The Commissioners for Public Baths and Wash-houses are appointed
by the Yestry. They are seven in number, and one third,
or as near as may be, retire annually, but are eligible for re-election.
The Commissioners retiring in January last were Mr. William Cox, of
57, Pall Mall, and Mr. William Winnett, of 51 and 53, Wardour
Street. Both these gentlemen were re-elected for the usual term
of office.
A return recently prepared shows that from the adoption of the
Baths and Wash-houses Act in 1846 to Christmas last, the sum ox
£32,286 12s. 9d. has been paid from the Poor Rates, and surplus
receipts, amounting to £9,350 have been applied in aid of the Poor
Rates, making a net charge on the rates of £22,936 12s. 9d. The
sum of £21,000 was borrowed for the erection, fitting-up, and
subsequent enlargement of the building, of which amount only
£1,400 now remains due. As some indication of the usefulness of
the institution, it may be noted that no less than £94,612 19s. 0d.
has been received from bathers and washers, from the opening of
the establishment in June, 1852 to Christmas, 1883.
A statement of the receipts and expenditure of the Commissioners
for the past year is given on page 113.
BEADLE.
The Vestry are authorised by Statute (8 Geo. II, cap. 15) to
appoint Watchmen and Beadles for the Parish, and although the
appointment of Watchmen long since fell into desuetude, one or
more Beadles were appointed annually until the year 1882.
On the question of appointing beadles being brought forward,
according to custom, on the 7th June, 1883, the following resolution
was passed, and no appointment was made:—
" That it is not expedient to proceed to the appointment of a beadle
under the provisions of the Local Act, 8 Geo. II, inasmuch as
subsequent legislation has fully provided for the performance of
all the duties of a beadle contemplated by the said Act."