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18
houses in their original form were opened to the public. The
building at first occupied the site of only one house in Marshall
Street (No. 16), and extended over a portion of the stoneyard in
the rear. It was soon evident, however, that the accommodation
thus provided was inadequate to the demand, and eight years
later, the sites of Nos. 17 and 18, Marshall Street, were placed
at the disposal of the Commissioners for an extension of the
building. All three houses were already the Freehold Property of
the Parish, consequently the Commissioners were not called upon
to pay anything for the site.
3. The Baths and Wash-houses, as extended, afford accommodation,
in addition to the necessary Offices, Store Rooms, Boiler House,
Apartments for the Superintendent, and rooms for administratrative
purposes generally, as follows:—
Swimming Bath, measuring about 40ft. by 30ft.;
Washing Baths, 23 first-class for men and 13 for women—and
44 second-class for men and 13 for women; in all 93;
Laundry: 83 Washing Compartments, fitted with steam, hot
and cold water, drying horses heated with Steam, Wringers,
Mangles, and an Ironing Room.
4. As already stated, the Freehold Site cost the Commissioners
nothing. The erection and subsequent extension of the building,
including boilers, apparatus, fittings, and fixtures of all kinds,
cost £21,000. This sum is exclusive of large sums paid from
time to time for renewals and repairs.
5. The whole cost of erecting and equipping the establishment, was
defrayed from loan raised on security of the Poor Rate. Four
loans were obtained, amounting in all to £21,000, and the sum
of £13,061 5s. l0d. has been paid for interest
6. The net cost to the ratepayers, however, has been only
£25,621 10s. 1d., for although the sum of £34,971 10s. 1d. has
been paid from the Poor Rate for repayment of the loans with interest,
and for renewals and repairs when these were exceptionally
heavy, the Commissioners have at various times paid sums from
their surplus receipts in aid of the Poor Rate, amounting in all
to £9,350. From the adoption of the Acts to the present time,
therefore, the net cost of the establishment to the ratepayers