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124
the Commissioners, with the approval of the Vestry, erected
a building on the site of No. 16, Marshall Street, the freehold
of which was vested in the Parish, and over a portion
of the Stoneyard adjacent. The establishment was opened
in the year 1852, and proved so successful as to necessitate,
in the course of a few years, an extension of the building.
For the purpose of this extension the Commissioners, in the
year 1860, absorbed the site of Nos. 17 and 18, Marshall
Street, which also belonged to the Parish.
The cost of the building, as extended, including fittings,
was about £21,000, which sum was borrowed on the security
of the Poor Rate. The balance of loan now outstanding
amounts to £1,200, which is being reduced at the rate of
£200 a year, and will be finally extinguished in 1891.
In addition to the necessary offices, store rooms, boiler
house, apartments for the superintendent, &c., the building
contains a swimming bath, measuring 40ft. by 30ft.; 23
first-class private baths for men, and 13 for women; 44
second-class private baths for men, and 13 for women; 83
washing compartments in the laundry, and facilities for 8
manglers and 10 ironers.
Since the adoption of the Act in 1846 to Christmas last,
the sum of £32,710 1s. 6d. 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 £23,360 1s. 6d. As some indication of the usefulness
of the establishment, it may be noted that no less
than £98,007 7s. 1d. has been received from bathers and
washers, from the opening of the building in June, 1852, to
Christmas, 1884.
In a report presented to the Vestry in January, the Commissioners
remark that they think that the poorer classes
might use the public laundry to a larger extent than they
now do, and thus, at the small outlay of 2d; per hour, which