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and washers continued to increase until the maximum
was reached in 1865, when 160,480 tickets were issued
to bathers and 70,057 to washers, or a total of 230,537
tickets in one year.
In 1890 the Commissioners camc to the conclusion that to
meet the requirements of the district it was necessary
to provide an additional Swimming Bath of modern
design, and for this purpose they proposed to utilise,
subject to the consent of the Vestry and the Local
Government Board, the two houses Nos. 14 and 15,
Marshall Street, belonging to the Vestry. The consent
of the Vestry was given to the proposal and the Local
Government Board held the usual public inquiry into
the circumstances. Although previous notice of the
inquiry had been widely given only three ratepayers
attended to object. After hearing all the evidence
tendered the inspector remarked that he had held
many similar inquiries but did not call to mind one in
which it had been so clearly shown that a Bath would
impose so small a burden, if any, upon the Ratepayers.
The Local Government Board subsequently gave their
consent and the Commissioners erected the present
handsome Swimming Bath.
The cost of erecting the original building in 1851 and furnishing
and extending in 1861 was about £21,000, which
sum was borrowed on the security of the Poor Rate.
The last instalment of the loan in respect of this amount
was paid in 1891. The cost incurred in the erection
and fitting of the new Swimming Bath amounts to
£5,849 13s. 8d. after deducting the amount contributed
by the Vestry for the construction of the storage
accommodation which has been provided under the
Baths for the extension of the Vestry's stoneyard. To
meet this expenditure the Commissioners borrowed
a sum of £3,000 from the London County Council
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