CHEVALIER BATHS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 274, 19 November 1927, Page 14

CHEVALIER BATHS.

OBJECTIONS TO PERMIT.

BATHING AlfD DANCING.

"WON'T WORK TOGETHER" SAYS

WITNESS.

EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY.

Objections to the granting of a license for the erection- of baths at Point Chevalier by Dixieland, Ltd., were given in evidence at a marine inquiry, which opened yesterday afternoon. The inquiry is being conducted by Mr. G. C. Godfrey (secretary of the Marine Department, Wellington), and Mr. L. B. Campbell (district engineer, Public Works, Auckland). Mr. E. H. Northcroft appears for Dixieland, Ltd., and Mr. J. Stantcm for the City Council. After objections had been stated by representatives of various women's organisations in Auckland, Mr. W. E. Bush, city engineer, was called upon. If the baths were erected, he said, the beach would lose a considerable amount of its sand and shell. The baths would be better situated on the eastern side of the trig station, where there was a sheltered little bay. Questioned by Mr. Northcroft, he said there was only a limited demand for night bathing in Auckland, and there was a dagner of drowning if the baths were not well lighted. Mr Northcroft said the sand would not be interfered with between the premises of Dixieland and the baths, as there would be an overhead connecting bridge. "I understand that," replied Mr. Bush, and added that as to the City Council's attitude, there was no money set aside for baths this year. Mr. D. Holderness, engineer of the Auckland Harbour Board, considered the sand would accumulate at the base of the proposed baths, leaving the southern portion of the beach particularly bare. Mr. J. Paterson, a member of the Parks Committee of the City Council, considered the beach exceptionally safe for children. Any baths constructed should be situated above the high-water mark. He cited the City Council's experience in 1925 and 1926 to show that the control of baths in Auckland was attended by considerable loss.

"You have been actively protesting against Dixieland," suggested Mr. Northcroft.

Mr. Paterson replied that he had seen things that had happened. He did not think it desirable from the moral aspect that baths and a cabaret should be alongside one another.

Boating Would Suffer. Mr. James Donald, a member of the City Council, was the first witness called this morning. He said he originally owned the land on which the Dixieland premises were now built. The Parks Committee and the City Council were opposed to the erection of the baths on the beach. He was much interested in boating, being president of the Richmond Sailing Club and vice-president of numerous clubs. The baths were liable to make the beach muddy and unsuitable for bathing, because of interference with natural conditions.,; Baths in the middle of the beadi would greatly interfere with boating in the vicinity. There was only one site suitable for the baths —on the north-eastern side of the point.

To Mr. Northcroft, witness said that the Parks Committee went out to> Point Chevalier last Tuesday to consider the matter.

Mr. Northcroft: Do you know whether Dr. Rayner attended a conference on Monday at the Town Hall at the invitation of the Parks Committee.—No.

Did you see pegs at Point Chevalier as to an alternative site for the baths ?— Yes.

Is the City Council prepared to have the baths placed in the original position, but somewhat further out from the beach ?—No.

Is that the official view of the council.—The Parks Committee is unanimous.

When the City Council passed its resolution opposing the granting of a permit, did you know the conditions?— No.

Mr. Godfrey: No one knew. Mr. Northcroft suggested that Dixieland was being attacked—not private enterprise. He asked: Is your objection because the application is by the cabaret company I—No.

Cabaret and Baths. In what way is the conjunction of a cabaret and baths objectionable ?—When young women and men dance, and at the same time there is bathing, it is not desirable. But why?—On moral grounds. Do you think public bathing is conducive to immorality J Do you object to mixed bathing?— No. T^ e approves mixed bathing in its baths to-day? Yes. .What is the. point of your objection? When there is a cabaret the people dancing should not go bathing as well, ihe two won't work together. When young people go to a dance there is no rule of conduct that prevents couples wandering out together ?—No. Is there any difference between that and goingbathing in public under stron« lights ? —Yes. ° y j U - tllink bathing is conducive to illicit desires ?-I have made myself clear about baths and the cabaret. I don t agree with it. Would you object to young people £2£L m your BM * aiat a *° bathiD ° ' n * ron t °f your place ?

Well, what is the difference?— There is • great deal of difference between a private house and a cabaret.

How often have you been to a cabaret?—l was at one in New York three years ago. How long since you were at one in Auckland ?—Not for a number of years. - Have you-been 4 to one ! in the last ten years ? —I can't say. Evening

Then your criticism of cabarets in Auckland is based on rumour, and not on personal knowledge?—l have got information.

What people have told you?— Yes. Then your objection to the baths is based on their 'being close to a cabaret, of which you have no first-hand knowledge at aIL

Continuing his cross-examination, Mr. Northcroft asked whether the City Council had, on some occasions, permitted mixed bathing in the evenings at Point Resolution ?—1 can't 6ay. Do you not know that the bathing was stopped because the caretaker would not take the responsibility without bet-i ter lighting?—l don't know.

Was not the mixed bathing there in poor light a serious matter?— The conditions are altogether different There is no cabaret.

Mr. Godfrey said that more light should be thrown on the conference at which Dr. Kayner was present, as it appeared there was a willingness on the part of the council to discuss the matter.

Mr. Stanton: I understand the discussion took place at the request of Dixieland, Ltd.

Mr. Nortbcroft: That is not true.

Miss Alice Basten: Might I make a protest? I. know nothing of Dixieland being invited to a conference.

Mr. Northcroft said that Mr. F. W. Brinsden, chairman of the Parks Committee, and the--Mayor (Mr. Geo. Baildon) were present, and Mr. Brinsden promoted the discussion.

Mr. Godfrey: It seems of some importance.

Conference at Beach.

Mr. E. J. Phelan, a member of the City Council, called to give evidence, said he did not attend the conference referred to.

Mr. Stanton: Were you out at the>foeacli last Tuesday?— Yes. Do you know that Dr. Kayner was invited to be there? Was he rung up from the Town Hall?—I thintr there was something of that kind. I don't know of any instruction from the committee, but I think it was desirable that he should be there.

Mr. Phelan said he considered that Point Chevalier and all other beaches in Auckland should be conserved for the us© of future generations. The suggestion to use a site on the north-eastern aide of the point came from himMr. Northcroft: Xou don't object to the baths and Dixieland being there together?— No.

Mr. F. Dyson, of Hie Point Chevalier Sailing Club, said that the beach had been very slow in forming, bat there had been a noticeable development in the last 20 years. Even the anchoring of a pontoon for a period had been found to have an effect. There had been a gradual increase of sand and a decrease of mud between the sand and lowwater mark. Seventeen years ago gumboots were needed, but it was now possible with light boots to walk over the flat at low water. I

Mr A. M. Laing, of Point Chevalier, considered the beach should be the first consideration and the baths the second. Mr. Northcroft: We are quite prepared to give that in. Witness, continuing, said that.he did not object- to baths being erected, proyided expert marine evidence was given that there would be no deterioration of the beach. If the City Council would take no action, private enterprise should be given .the power. u G ' ,9 rookbatin ' secretary of the Pomt Chevalier School Committee, considered the beach would be affected in a simlar manner to Shelly Beach if baths were erected there. The tendency would omP u P * owar^fl one portion Hie inquiry at tiiis stage was adjourned until 10 a.m. on Monday.