THE SALT-WATER BATHS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 44, 21 February 1900, Page 3

THE SALT-WATER BATHS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I am glad to see that the Citjr Council is. at last awakening to the fact that the Customs-street West Baths are of at least as much importance as the Albert-street ones. In the past most of the favours have been conferred on the latter, whilst the former have been pretty well starved out. There can be no doubt that for health and pleasure fresh sea-water is much to be preferred to that which is only changed now and then, and I '• think every encouragement should be given to the public to patronise the Salt Water Baths. It would not cost a great deal to erect plain dressingrooms with doors and fastenings, so that bathers could disrobe with privacy and comfort, A small expenditure in this and other necessary directions would soon be recouped, and a boon conferred on the residents of the western suburbs, for whom the Albert-street Baths are too far situated. At times the baths are so crowded by males that the caretaker has to utilise the female department to accommodate them, and money would be profitably spent in extending the length by say one hundred feet. A petition for this was presented to the Council some months ago, but nothing came of it. As a regular attendant, I cannot speak too highly of the caretaker and his wife (Mr and Airs Glover). The baths are kept beautifully clean, the utmost courtesy shown, and every possible care taken against accidents. In the ladies' baths Miss Glover, one of Auckland's mostexpert swimmers, is always present, ready to assist any one anxious to learn to swim and all round the conduct of the baths could not be better. I may also mention for the information of the public that bathers are provided with either a hot cup of tea, coffee, chocolate, or milk for the nominal sum of one penny.—Yours, etc. BATHER.