PARNELL BATHS AND LIBRARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 253, 23 October 1907, Page 8

PARNELL BATHS AND LIBRARY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I would beg the favour of a small space in your columns in reference to the above. We have been advised by advertisement, a public meeting has been held, and we are to be asked to sanction a loan of £3000, but as yet very few particulars have been given. A sketch plan of the proposed baths has been made without specifications, but estimated to cost from £600 to £1000, and a possible site has been chosen. Lα respect of the library we are in a still worse position, being told nothing beyond that a loan of £2000 is required, and that a site has been granted by the Government. We are not informed whether that sum is for building alone, or for complete equipment, books, furniture, etc. Having obtained the loan, and later the baths and library, the question of upkeep comes in. To have public baths with no attendant would be an impossibility; order must be kept, and the keepers, male and female, need to be expert swimmers or accidents woulfi result. Then again there would be needful repairs, cleaning, painting, also lighting and fresh water.

As regards the library, a resident caretaker would be needed, who would have to serve also as librarian. For this a man wita come knowledge of books would be desirable, and who would want to be paid for his services. Then, again, there would be the items of firing, insurance, rates, water, and upkeep, also the item of new books \nd periodicals. If the ratepayers are wise they will certainly ask for a little more light before voting the loan. Take the COSt. £3000, with cost of flotation, interest and sinking fund means £3 per week; cost of baths, caretakers and upkeep, £3 per week; cost of library, at least £3 per week, with £1 per week for incidentals. Here we have at the very lowest £10 per week or over £500 per , annum. In the meanwhile there are roads unformed, footpaths unmade and unchannelled, and to all requests for necessary work there is but one reply, "no money." Ahead of us there is r, big work, which must be done, and which will require all the money we can raise, in the completion of our drainage scheme, at present a disgrace and menace to public health.—l am, etc., PARNELL RATEPAYER.