CROWDED BATHS?

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 112, 5 February 1935, Page 10

CROWDED BATHS?

Conditions at Te Aro Complained Of CHANGES RECOMMENDED “I would like the members of the committee to come ami see the baths at some lunch time so that they can find out the conditions for themselves,” said Mr. A. Fletcher, spokesman for a deputation which waited oh the Wellington parks and reserves committee yesterday with complaints concerning the Te Aro baths. It was suggested that plans should be made for extending the women’s baths into the men’s, the men’s part itself to be extended eastward along the Oriental Bay Parade, and an enclosure to be made in between the two baths for mixed bathing. With Mr. Fletcher, the deputation consisted of Messrs. M.' F. Galloway, W. Look, 11. Hill, F. W. Vosseler, and W. J. Pope. “Come with your bathing costumes if possible,” said Mr. Fletcher in making his invitation to the councillors. “The baths haven’t had a really extensive cleaning for a great many years. The water is very filthy indeed. There have been quite a few medical men there, and they have said that there is no question that a good deal of eye trouble among some young people who go there is due to the conditions.” Women’s Baths a “Disgrace.” The deputation was also of the opinion that something should be done to extend the facilities in both of the present baths, he continued. It had no set plan, but it was felt that the women’s baths particularly were a disgrace to the community. They were far too small, and there were no facilities for proper dressing or walking along the gangway. Mr. Fletcher’s suggestion to correct such conditions was that the baths should be altered and extended so that together, with the present exclusive men’s and women’s baths there would be ti place for mixed loathing, which was wanted particularly for the use of families. It was a fact also that the water for the women’s baths came direct from the men’s baths. Cr. L. McKenzie: In the meantime would it do to put the two baths into one?

Mr. Fletcher: It’s no use. Many of the men want the baths to themselves, and many of the women want to keep theirs also. However, there is a good portion of the community which wants mixed bathing. „ • Cr. C. H. Chapman: Has the deputation gone into the cost? • Mr. Fletcher: We haven’t troubled about the cost. We are absolutely satisfied that sotnething must be done for the comnjunity. Let’s get our plans riiade and then consider such difficulties. “Familiar With Scandal.” Cr. R. Semple: We are all familiar with the scandal as it is. “Unfortunately, nothing has been said but what we have' been already aware of,” commented the chairman of the committee, Cr. J. Burns. “It is only a question of money available. I visited the baths twice last week and particularly asked the caretaker if there were any complaints: he - said everything was all right. It must be remembered also that we are in an abnormal season, anti the baths may not be used to such a great extent again for many seasons to come.”

“There is mo question about the baths being obsolete.” he added. Mr. Fletcher said he wished it understood that in complaining of the conditions not the slightest complaint was being made against the work of the caretaker.. He agreed that the conditions were abnormal, but the baths had Iteen just as crowded on other occasions. Members of the committee decided to arrange a visit to the baths as suggested by the deputation.