THE TE ARO BATHS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 20, 18 October 1907, Page 5

THE TE ARO BATHS.

STILL SILTING UP. . NECESSITY FOR,' IMPROVEMENTS. The necessity for. some improvement being made in the To Aro Baths is generally acknowledged by bathers, and.it is probable that a, systematic.,movement frill be mado this season'to have some very necessary'alterations carried out. As matters stand at present, tho outer fence of tho baths is in sw.h a position that it gets 'the full force of the heavy "rip" caused by, the big seas running in and being deflected by the inner wall, which is of concrete. Consequently this outside fenc' is being continually damaged, and the cost of repairs each year is a big item. It is understood that the City Council intends proceeding with the construction- of a solid concrete wall to; replace tho present wooden feiico. If this wall is placed-twenty or thirty yards further seaward than the present fence, several advantages will be gained, lii addition to the increased area for swimming, inore, accommodation in the way. of dressing sheds could bo provided, calm water would, bo ensured, and tho present rapid silting up of the baths would bo ended.

As an.-illustration of the'extent-to which 'the baths have silted up trough being onclosed in a paling fence, tlio depth in various spots in both the ladies' and men's baths, taken recently, will be interesting. ' In: tlio ladies' bath at tlio outer end two spring boards are fixed,; oho in each- currier, and the under one of, these at low water is two foot,- wliilo under the.other one—nearest the wall of..tho boat harbour,'where 'there-is a greater .scour— therp.is a depth of 3ft. 3in. In the men's bath, ivhor'o the boards aro used mucl) ..moro than, tlioso in- the ladies' bath, the depth is no bettor, .the-minimum depth of the outside of the bath being 2ft. •Jin. and; tho maximum depth 3ft. Immediately outside the bath, tliaj- is, about, threo yards on tho harbour side of the fenco, tho dejpth at low , tido ranges : from sft. . to> 6ft. That the Council recognises the danger to' bathers is proved by its action in posting up cautionary notices , in the men's bath, tlie'only indication of danger to'lady bathers being, a board showing the depth of water at the outer end. j . , , ', / Tho learner's bath, which is enclosed by . a double fence, has silted up to such aii extent that it -is rarely used,, oven tho, most timid bather preferring to take his chance in the open bath to being choked by. the mass ■of seaweed and rubbish which accumulates in tho enclosure, and apparently never finds its way out.except when scooped out by the custodian. The stato in which tlio platform,'hand rails, and piles are at present calls for prompt action oil tho part of the Council, and it cortainly seems .that the best policy wouuld be to face the expense of,tho concrete wall at onco, instead of tinkering with' the present fence. .