THE NEWTON BATHS.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 3901, 10 February 1883, Page 4

THE NEWTON BATHS.

A movement as worthy of remark from Ha social and sanitary bearings, as for its commercial importance, has just been inaugurated in the Newton district through the enterprise of Mr David Grubb. Facilities for bathing constitute one of the necessities of city life, and more especially is this the case in oar sub-topical climate, and these facilities have hitherto not been afforded save by tho old-established baths of Mr Until, in Victoria-street, and the public baths of the Corporation, It is no disparagement to say that these have proved inadequate to the wants of the people; for our population lias grown with such rapidity that it is not easy to keep pace with its progress. The city baths are, indeed, altogether of a past age. and the time is fully ripe far their being superseded by baths of improved construction, and affording better accommodation for the crowds of bathers who iircqucot them. What is wanting on the part of me City Council is likely to bo made up by pi irate enterprise, the opening of the ! Newton baths by Mr Grubb being the first step towards extending the advantages onjoyed by city residents to the suburban districts. The Newton baths occupy a site in Upper Pitt-street, near the corner of K&rangahape Road. The building is a harjdsome block, consisting of a sunk flat, ground flat, and upper stoiy, and has been finished in lirst-clasa style. The baths occupy the ground flut, and are reached by the main entrance from Pitt-street There are 18 baths in separate chambers, which are all fitted UP alike, with the exception that several chambers are specially adapted for the use of ladies Hot, cold, and shower ba hs*ate provided for in each room, and all the appointments are most complete, and on a scale of comfort approaching elegance. There are two lavatories and also a bath-keeper's office on this flat. The sunk JJat is devoted to the waterbeating and laundry departments. The water ia heated in a steam boiler, whore it is forced upwards into a large wooden taiik at the back of the building, capable of holding 2500 gallons of water, and from which the whs derive their hot water supply. A drying chamber has been fitted U|>, in which the towels &o, will be dried by means of steam pipes, and a large room is to be fitted up as a mangling department. Kviry provision has been made for ensuring speedy and effective attention being given to the wants of the public in tha matter of bathing j and the proximity oi: the establishment to the city, and its convenience at the fame time for suburban residents, should, in conjunction with the excellent ua uro of tho accommodation, fecuie for iho baths a large share of public support. A ffuture of tho present time ia the movement in the direction of coffee palaces, temperance hotels, and teetotal clubs and institutes for working men; and of this phase, or tendency, Mr urubb has not beou unmindful iv instituting his baths. The upper story of the building is devoted to reading and. social rooms, which include a large billiard-room, a refreshment room, with two other rooms for draughts, cbe«s, and' readiDg; purposes. The premises upstairs are reached by a spaoious staircase with a roomy JandiDg on top. To the left of this lauding lie* the billiard room-a spacious apaitment SUfc. in length by 24ft. in breadth. In thi-i are two billiard tables' oue by Wright, and tbe other by Thureton and Co., whi;h are provided with the usual accessories of tho gam°. The room Is tastefully furnished, splendidly lighted, acd is in every respect second to no Bimilar establishment; in the colony. There are benches provided for spectators of the game, veniilation is supplied freely, and provision is made for comfoit in the winter season by Ire-places in the room. Step, ping from this loom to the opposite side of

I the landing,, the refreshroTnTTZ:, ■' reuched, and here all kind? n. \ temperance drinks are t» h» "l with refreshments, including tea p.bßo' '■ !&c. The other two rooms are feftv commodious, and though not vet thorn,,!, iit»ed up, give indications olb^Hbt adjuncts io the recreation department n^': ti.is flit there are nlso lavatory L°? &c, and nothin; is wanting in tho efforts? " ' pnmde a healthful and pleasant placed "^ tort for the sons of toil who ionJ; to ni \m " quiet excitement, or wish to improve ll ■ minds by reading, 'ihe readiop tefr .,l lr rnent, and recreation department is 'v-: the management of Mr P. shine, aft? hear there are proposals on foot for f on^ * ing a Working Men's Club in coJS 1 with the establishment. This m ig| t T : done with great advantage to monv in ii ■ district, us by forming a , "h ,i men would be enabled to n 5 ' different kinds of literature which ?!•■-'■ quite bevoad their individual means t\- I enteiprise of Mr Grubb, in erection tw > buildma at such a great expeDdr^re^ i capital, ought specially t> be veco<rm s J^: tr x;: temp nnce feople.asitchieflydcDcndanto'i their suppoit whether a venture'on WnV r ance lines will succeed or not t -: laying out his plans for this erection Jh> Grubb has made provision for the erect ion of a hall for meetings at some future S and there ia no doubt that such aula would prove a great convenience and wofflW add to tbe popularity of the baths, andS the recreation rooms. u|