DIXIELAND BATHS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 276, 22 November 1927, Page 5

DIXIELAND BATHS.

CONCLUSION OF INQUIRY.

SUPPORT FROM SWIMMING

CLUBS.

NEEDS OF TIDAL BEACH.

In support of the application by Dixieland, Ltd., for a permit to erect baths] on Point Chevalier,' several witnesses J gave evidence yesterday afternoon at the Marine Department's inquiry, before Mr. Q. C. Godfrey, secretary of the Marine Department (Wellington") and Mr. L. B. Campbell, district engineer of Public Works, Auckland. Mr. J. Stanton represented the Auckland City Council, and Mr. E. H. Northcroft, Dixieland, Ltd. Mr. N. W. Loveridge, manager of Dixieland Cabaret, described the improvement in the conditions at the beach as a result of the building of dressing sheds by the company and a private individual. The palrk had been Used promlscoUsly for dressing and undressing by hundreds. Accommodation was now available for 2000 bathers. Owing to the nature of the tides the beach was not suitable for bathing for more than four hours out of 12. Thousands of holiday-makers had sometimes to wait the greater part of the day for a tide, and the baths would make it possible to bathe whenever desired.

Captain H. H. Sergeant, harbour* master at Auckland, said that the sand would not be swept away from the southern end of the beach because of putting baths at the proposed site. In fact, deposits would be retained that would otherwise be lost. As to the sailing club's course in the vicinity it did not seem possible that the baths would affect it.

Mr. T. C. Hobb-Jones, president of the Auckland Centre of the N.Z. Swimming Association, and Mr. J. Enwright, vicepresident, considered that the baths would be a decided asset to the beach and the whole of Auckland. The considered opinion of swimming clubs was that baths should be erected on tidal beaches like that at Point Chevalier. It was immaterial who erected, the baths, provided they were of a type that was suitable for competitive erenta Mr. T. H. Pettit, chairman of the Auckland head centre of the N.Z. Life Raving Society, also gave evidence urging the establishment of the proposed baths. Beach Formed From South.

Professor J. A. Bartrum, professor of geology at the Auckland University College, said that the north-east winds came in on ffho beach at an angle of about fifteen derr~ ? to the beach. There was a natural curve in the line of the foreshore, due to the waves. The beach was made largely of poor sand and shell. He considered that most of the sand came from the hills to the south. The sand depth appeared to increase somewhat towards the north, and it was probable that it would be further increased if the baths were established on the beach.

Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, said that the operations of the board had not deprived Auckland of beaches, as had been stated in a resolution passed by the Parks Committee of the City Council, opposing the granting of a permit to Dixieland, Ltd. The provisions of the board in regard to the treatment of Judge's Bay Were such as to preserve the bay; but when the developments in that area were undertaken by the City Council a departure was made from the proposals of the board.

Mr. Stanton said that the City Council did not wish to hold the board responsible for what had happened at Judge's Bay.

Mr. Campbell said the present position was created by the waterfront railway and roadway works.

Harbour Board's Attitude.

Continuing his evidence, Mr. Mackenzie said he was not opposed to baths being erected at Point Chevalier, but a half a chain of beach would have to be left clear. He did consider that there would be the slightest deterioration of the beach, as the experiences of the Harbour Board in other parts of the harbour, including the Devonport foreshore, had been to tho contrary. It had not been the practice of the board to prohibit the erection of sheds, platforms and rails by private interests on the foreßhore, and no protest had been raised against the granting of permits. A licensed fee was charged in connection with all permits. "Every child should learn to swim and every facility should be provided," continued Mr. Mackenzie.

To Mr. Stanton he said he preferred the site near the cliff at the northern end to the alternative site proposed on the beach. The board exercised great care with a view to the preservation of the beaches, and would sanction the beach site only on condition of not being able to sanction that by the cliff.

Mr. Northcroft said that he did not propose to call any further evidence. He added: "The implied moral criticism has entirely disappeared and the question as to whether or not private use of the foreshore for pleasure or profit is desirable is not fairly raised on the present occasion. I am forced to the conviction that there has been a certain lack of candour on the part of those asserting the moral objection." Continuing, Mr. Northcroft said that the granting of the permit involved a question of policy on which the Cabinet was better able to form an opinion and act than the "somewhat irresponsible critics in Auckland." The only substantial criticism was in regard to the feared deterioration of the beach, but the overwhelming result of the technical evidence, he submitted, was that instead of the beach being spoiled it would

probably be unproved. "In the interests of decency and propriety the bathing at Point Chevalier should be controlled in the way proposed," Baid Mr. Northcroft, "and the comfort of the public demands that there should be some opportunity to bathe at all Etages of the tide."

Mr. Stanton said that the question of a cabaret and baths being close together was one that must receive consideration. The witnesses against the granting of the permit had given their evidence in the conviction that there were grave objections to be urged, and it was fully admitted that the preservation of the beach was a matter of paramount importance. It was difficult to foretell what would happen to the beach, and then* was no unanimity in the expert evidence. He submitted that gradual improvement of the beach was due to the inter-play of various forces, and the balance had only just turned. The provision of bath? should be left to the City Council, and swimmers would be better served in the future if that course were adopted. A report will be prepared by the officials appointed to conduct the inquiry and presented to the Minister of Marine.