PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8245, 8 August 1892, Page 6

PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS.

TO THE EDITOR Off THE PRESS. Sir, —It will not be long before the bathing season comes round again, and with the return of the season the great want of public baths will again be keenly felt by the large number of citizens who, under the existing circumstances, ate unable to have a dip should they so desire. Of course, we ail know the great question in connection with the baths is the site. I see that the City Council are negotiating with a view to letting the Market Reserve, or parts of it, on a long lease with a building clause. Two correspondents have expressed their views On this matter in your columns, and "Citizen," in yesterday morning's issue, infers that the Councillors who are opponents of the public baths are endeavouring to defeat tbe scheme by letting the Market Reserve. I sincerely nope that this is not so. Such a mean and contemptible course would be unbecoming to., any man, and it would be doubly so in the case of a Councillor. I trust the Council will not act in - direct opposition to the wish of the ratepayers expressed in general meeting. Would it not be better for the Council to defer any action with respect to the use of the Market square until they have got convincing proof of the desire of the ratepayers, either at a poll for the purpose or at the next election. How is it (-hat the Council has' suddenly awakened to the fact (the hitherto impossibility) that the Market square might really (can it be a fact ?) be devoted to some useful purpose, even if not a public one ? —I am, &c, Fairness. 6th August, 1892.