It appears from the foregoing returns that the number of bathers at these establishments during the season of four months was 1,397,914, an increase of 346,810 over the previous year, and an increase of 964,224 over the year 1866, when they were first opened. The cost for each bath, including all expenses for constructing new bath-houses and repairing old ones, superintendence, &c., amounts to only one cent and five mills. Upon such a statement no comment is necessary to show the success which has attended the efforts of the committee during the past season. In making arrangements for the next season some changes will probably be required. It will be remembered that the space occupied in part by the Warren bridge bath-house was sold last year by the State; and the committee were obliged to pay the sum of eight hundred dollars for the privilege of retaining the building in that locality during the season. It is so situated that it cannot be removed without being taken apart, and that would be equivalent to destroying it altogether. That a bath-house is needed in that vicinity is apparent from the fact that the number of bathers during the past season was 230,785, a number largely in excess of any other establishment. It will be for the committee of next year to determine whether it will be expedient to hire the present site for a term of years, or select another which will accommodate the inhabitants of this section of the city. The bath-house at Arch Wharf was removed at the end of the season, the flats which it covered having been sold. It will be necessary to secure a new location in the neighborhood next year. The location of the bath-house on Cabot street, at the Highlands, is not entirely satisfactory to those who patronize it, and it may be found desirable to make some change. New accommodations for bathers were furnished during the past season at the foot of Swett street, in South Bay, and at Commercial Point, in Dorchester. In the latter place, twelve small houses were erected. As frequent applications are made by the governments of other cities and towns for information in relation to the construction and maintenance of the public bathing houses in this city, the committee have thought proper to reprint, as an appen dix to this report, the report for the year 1866, which contains a very full statement in regard to the establishment of the present system, accompanied by lithographed plans of several of the principal houses. Respectfully submitted. G. T. W. BRAMAN, Committee. |