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Road, &c., where very few of the houses are provided
with bath rooms. The first class baths would
be doubtless a convenience to boating men, and the
immediate hot bath on conclusion of violent exercise
is found by many to be of great value ; more especially
if opportunity is given for gradually cooling by
shower or plunge baths, as in the Turkish or old
Roman baths.
Now that the electric light is being extended
throughout the Borough it would seem opportune to
suggest that gas should be more extended for warming
and cooking purposes. It is only necessary to
look down on Kingston from the hill to see that the
atmosphere is largely charged with smoke from the
numerous fires that continue in great number, even
in summer, owing to the great population who live
in tenements. The principal objection to this use is
the great expense of a gas that has been purified for
lighting purposes. If representations were made to
the Gas Company, it is possible that they might be
disposed to lay mains for an impure gas that would
answer for heating and cooking purposes, and enable
us to avoid a great deal of dirt in our houses and
murkiness in our atmosphere.
An application was made for the establishment
of a soap boiling and fat melting works in the
Borough. Being directed to make enquiries I
reported as follows :—
London County Council.— The Medical
Officer kindly placed the services of an inspector at
my disposal, who took me to two works at Bow
Common. These works are conducted under the
Bye-laws of the Council. They are situated in a
very poor neighbourhood, and are surrounded by
other works of a similar description. As far as the
actual bone-boiling and tallow-melting are concerned,