THE TEPID BATH QUESTION.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9117, 30 May 1895, Page 6

THE TEPID BATH QUESTION.

An adjourned meeting of the Presidents and delegates of the various Swimming Clubs was held at the Clarendon Hotel last sight. Present — Messrs E. W. Roper (in the chair), Francis, Seed, Ashby, Milne, Jacques, Watson, and Smart (hon. sec.) An apology was received from Dr. Moorhouse.

The Chairman said that since the last meeting the Council had obtained an estimate for a bath, which, ib was stated, would cost some £3000. This was so far in advance of what they expected, or indeed thought was necessary, that he had thought it necessary to call them together to consider the position. Before saying any more he would ask the Secretary to read a letter which had been received trom the New South Wales Swimming Association, giving the details cf the tepid baths in conneotion with the Association. The Association had also forwarded photographs. Ihe Secretary read the letter referred to. The Chairman said Mr Walkden, at his request, had written to Napier as to the cost of their tepid bath. He would now ask the Secretary to read the letter. The Secretary then read the letter, which stated that the size of the batli was 62 x 40ft, and the depth varying from 2ft 6in to Bft 6in. The temperature was from ?odeg to 80deg. The cost of the baths, which included cold and hot salt water baths, vapour baths, &c, had been £800. The bath was leb by Mr Swan at £75 per annum. There were twelve dressing rooms, with platform, &c The Chairman said the letter from Napier was a very valuable one, a3 showing what could be done under the same conditions as here. Now it became necessary for them to consider what they could put before the Council, because they did not wish tho Council to put up baths costiug £3000 and some £800 per annum for maintenance. What they wanted was a very much cheaper bath than tho one proposed by Messrs Walkden and Cane. He thought they should approach the Council and ask tlum to give them a site and n subsidy. They could not ask the Council for one moment to go to the ratepayers aud ask them to consent to a loan of £3GOO or £4000 for a bath. He thought that they should appoiut a Sub-Committee to bring up a plan to the extent they wanted. They might say to the Council •* If you give us a aite and £1500 we wiil put up a bath on tho lines we want." He would suggest that Messrs Jacques and Ashby should be appointed as a Sub-Committee to bring up a modified plan for submission to the Council.

Mr Francis moved—"That Messrs Jacques and Ashby be appointed as a SubCommittee to prepare modified plans for the meeting of delegates to submit to the City Council."

Mr Watson seconded the motion, which wm carried.

It was resolved that the Secretary communicate with tho City Council stating that the meeting hoped to be able to submit plans for a less expensive bath. The Chairman pointed out that the bath would be tho property ot the Council, and £1500 would be a very moderate sum to be voted by the Council. It wua resolved that the Sub-Committee be asked to report to the adjourned meeting m a fortnight. Votes of thanks were passed to the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association lor their letters and photographs, and to Mr Waikden for his courtesy in affording information to the delegates. The meeting then adjourned for a fortnight.