TEPID BATHS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 146, 22 June 1928, Page 10

TEPID BATHS

, ♦ SWIMMING AND TURKISH OLD SUBJECT' REVIVED A LOAN PROMISED A onco popular public topic, almost forgotten, was brought to life again at tho City Council table last night, when, on the recommendation of tho Works Committee, tho City. Engineer was instructed to furnish an estimate of tho cost of erecting tepid swimming, Turkish, and slipper baths in the city, the report to indicate the most suitable site for this purpose. It .was a coincidence that tho first business dealt with by tho council last night was to receive a deputation from, the Wellington Swimming League, Sports Protection League, and Civic League, pressing for tho establishment of the baths dealt with in tho Works Committee's clause, introduced by Councillor Morpeth, who spoke strongly urging the provision of these facilities. Mr. Peter Coira, representing the Swimming Centre, said that last year had shown existing baths to bo so crowded that children had to leave the baths at an early hour, thus hindering tho valuable work of coaching jind teaching. It had apparently taken four years to decido that a site once selec-ted for tepid baths was too valuable, top long even for mature consideration. Advices from' America and other places showed that such baths could occupy top floors of big buildings. Ho asked tho council to decide whether H intended to do tho work now or within five years. He stressed tho value of tho tepid baths, and said that oven if the baths did not pay, tuition there might-result in the saving of life. Mr. Fisher (Clyde Quay School) said there was no need to stress tho importance of swimming, but he doubted if everybody realised how really important it was. Not more than 5 per cent, of the community could swim,* and riot 10 per cent, entered tho sea." He wanted to see young, people accustomed to, tho water. At present there was not room for the children to qualify for distance certificates, and tho whole scheme of teaching . swimming would be put in a very awkward position unless . something was done immediately. .. ' Mr. F. W. Downes (Civic League) said this matter had received the league's earnest attention, and it considered that something should bo done, at once. Besides the swimming aspect, the ratepayers were greatly interested in the other baths once talked of for' health reasons. Probably an "expensive" site would- prove tho cheapest in tho long run. Tho Mayor assured thoni that the matter had concerned the council, and that councillors fully realised tho value of teaching youth swimming, and were not unappreciat.iye of efforts in this direction. Tho deputation could, however, easily realise the difficulties of finance. This was one of the worst years in that respect ever faced by tho council. Next year would be bitter, because of tho redemption of a number of loans. One of tho reasons for turning down the Mercer street site was the nature of the existing old building, which would have meant a makeshift. A tepid salt water swimming bath would not .be possible on this side of the harbour, by reason of the floating oil in the harbour, and the water must bo drawn from tho other side, of the harbour. Mr. Troup drew attention to.the committee's recommendation. There was no chance of the baths being erected this year, as a loan would have to bo raised. A suitable system of baths would cost £40,000, and this could not bo raised this year. Next year, however, loan proposals would be; put forward for the purpose.