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27
PUBLIC BATHS AND WASHHOUSES.
The Vestry avail themselves of the opportunity afforded
by the completion and opening of the New Swimming
Bath in the Autumn of last year, to present to the
parishioners a few particulars relating to the Public Baths
and Washhouses of the Parish.
The Vestry of St. James adopted the Act to encourage
the Establishment of Public Baths and Washhouses within
four months of its having received the Royal Assent. On
the 26 th August, 1846, the Royal Assent was given to
the Act in question, and on the 10th December in the same
year the Vestry decided to establish Public Baths and
Washhouses in the Parish. Consequently St. James's was
one of the first Local Authorities to give the "Ratepapcrs
the advantages afforded by the Legislature. Seven
Commissioners having been appointed to carry the Act
into execution some delay occurred in the selection of a
suitable site, in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining
land owing to the whole of the parish being built upon.
Ultimately, with the approval of the Vestry, Public
Baths and Washhouses were erected on the site of
16, Marshall Street, the freehold of which belonged to the
Parish, and over a portion of the Workhouse Stoneyard
adjoining. The building was opened to the public in 1852
and proved itself an immediate success. In the course of a few
years to meet the increased demand for improved accommodation
for bathing, especially for women, the Commissioners
decided to extend the building, and in 1860 they obtained
the necessary consents to appropriate a further portion of the
Parish Property in Marshall Street, (Nos. 17 aud 18). The
increased accommodation provided by this extension was