BATH BUILDINGS

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 90, 16 April 1921, Page 5

BATH BUILDINGS

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —At a recent meeting the Mayor is reported to have 3aid that " in the interests of public safety these buildings must come down." Now, Sir, I am not at all anxious to preserve these buildings, which are by no means an architectural asset to the centre of our city, but does the Mayor realise that, whilst thinking of safeguarding the citizens in one way, he is creating a graver danger? Unfortunately there is a vast number of the homes of our working class which are not provided' with tho facilities for cleanliness, and to remove tliese public baths will be to take away their only opportunity. There may be danger from the near proximity of the trams, though surely this could be largely minimised by a little vigilance on the - part of the pedestrians, and this could surely be emphasised until such time' as other bath-houses could .be secured. The suggestion that private enterprise should do this work is., to my mind, begging the question. If this was expect-ed, why was the recent proposals made to include some .£IO,OOO for this purpose? Are not the corporation^ by the people, eoirfmitted to secure these facilities before closing down the present building If need be., surely an entrance could be temporarily arranged in Dixonstreet. Cleanliness is a first essential to the health of the community, and to my mind it will be nothing short of criminal for those who have the provision in their homes to deprive their les3 fortunate fellow-citizens of the means. to secure the needed health conditions. The official lethargy in providing housing accommodation and now their selfishness in being careless of the needs of others because they have no need of public baths, is probably a grave cause of discontent. I ..trust that, like myself, a. • majority of the citizens, who are not .affected by the demolition of these buildings, will give their whole-hearted support to those who demand proper facilities for their less fortunate fellows ere *the present disappear.—l am, etc.. ANTI-RED FED. 11th April.