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26
The proposed construction of a new Swimming Bath for first-class
bathers of both sexes has so recently been before the Vestry as to
need little more than passing mention. It may, however, be
useful briefly to detail the action taken by the Commissioners in
the matter before they submitted to the Vestry their recent scheme
or utilising the sites of Nos. 14 and 15, Marshall Street, for the
purpose. It will be within the recollection of tbe Vestry that on
the 30th January, 1890, a resolution was passed assenting to the
Commissioners appropriating the site of Nos. 19 to 23, Marshall
Street, to the erection of a new first-class swimming bath, subject
to the assent of the Local Government Board, following upon a
previous resolution (7th November, 1889), authorising the Commissioners
to negotiate with the Guardians of the Poor of the
Westminster Union for the surrender of No. 19. Marshall Street,
which they hold under an order of the Local Government Board.
The Commissioners had lost no time in approaching the Guardians,
and nothing could be more cordial than the interchange of opinions
at, a personal interview between the two bodies. The Commissioners
left under the impression that the Guardians recognised
the public benefit which would result from the establishment of
the proposed new swimming bath, and would further the object
to the utmost of their power, their only stipulation being that
accommodation should be found for the nurses occupying No. 19,
Marshall Street, and this impression was confirmed by a subsequent
letter from the Guardians. The Commissioners suggested
that a reduction in the rent payable to the Parish of St. James,
proportionate to the value of the property to be surrendered,
would seem to afford the easiest solution of the question, as the
Guardians would then be free to adopt any course they pleased,
but in case the Guardians should prefer the Commissioners making
structural alterations in the Workhouse to accommodate the
four or five displaced nurses, several alternative rearrangements
of portions of the Workhouse premises for the accommodation of
the nurses were submitted. And seeing that the Guardians have
sufficient room to receive paupers from other unions, it appeared
that some such course could have been adopted without difficulty.
It was, therefore, with a feeling of intense disappointment that in
the month of April the Commissioners received a letter from the
Guardians, stating that the only condition upon which No. 19,
Marshall Street, would be surrendered was the purchase of the