BATHS AND BEACHES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 33, 8 August 1933, Page 8

BATHS AND BEACHES

IMPROVEMENT MADE

BUT MUCH TO BE DONE

The Director of Parks and Reserves, Mr. J. O. MacKonzio, in his report to the reserves committee has surveyed improvements recently carriod out or in hand and has called attention to other works that must bo done to cater for a steadily-increasing • number of bathers and visitors to tho various beaches about tho city. Tho work on tho baths and beaches' branch of tho reserves department had shown a very big increase,' he stated.: Economic conditions had prevented' many people from travelling from homo a« in past years, and this has made for increased patronage- of tho baths and beaches of tho city during the summer. Tho cult of sun-bathing had come- to stay and hew bylaws to meet the position wero necessary. "Tho days of tho neck-to-knee costumes are now past, and unless now bylaws are framed to moot present-day conditions, the position will get out of hand." Tho attendance at To Aro Baths from January to March was a.record one and tho baths wero taxed as perhaps never before in- their history to accommodate tho bathers. The baths woro showing many signs of age, but it was hoped to give them as good an overhaul as possible this season, and this should make them fit for at least another ten years. Tho Thorndon and Onslow Baths, in which mixed bathing is allowed, were well patronised from January to April and were at times overcrowded. The Thorndon Baths are better patronised every year. Work is in hand at the Onslow Baths to deal with the seepage of water through the .bottom, a source of considerable trouble in the past. TEPID BATHS. ''The question of tepid bath's is again before tho committee," said Mr. MacKenzie. "Every effort should be mado to build baths, even on a much reduced scale. There is no doubt that tepid baths would be well patronised in this city. Owing to the weather conditions, there is very little bathing done outside seven to eight months of the year." Tho improvements to Oriental Bay beach had attracted bathers in unprcceded numbers during the past summer, and at times there wero at least five hundred people in the water at once. Plans had been prepared for bathing shelters in the vicinity of tho band rotunda. It was necessary to provide accommodation for dressing purposes here, or else take action to prevent dressing and undressing out in the open. During the summer the Harbonr Board obtained an Order in Conncil prohibiting fishermen from trawling or netting on the beach during the summer months, and this had done away with what was an acute nuisance for all sorts of rubbish was dragged up on tho beach night after night. ROUND THE BAYS. Referring to Island Bay, Mr. McKenzio said that this bathing area would not be as attractive as it.should bo until by-laws were made to control the fishing fleet in the«bay. This, while not such an' acute matter as. it was some years ago, was still in a very unsatisfactory condition." It should be capable of a satisfactory solution both for the fishermen and tho public. The band rotunda had seldom been visited by a band since it vas erected. Both-at Island Bay and Lyall Bay a series of band concerts during the summer would be a decided attraction. The revenue to the tramways, department alono would justify the. Expense of bringing out the bands.■■..;■:■.;--•.•.-Other sections of the report dealt with the need of attention to beach buildings. Mr. MacKenzie stated that by arrangement with tho Harbour Board, all boat sheds erected round Evans Bay are now kept '•tho chain road.reservation, and all the unsightly sheds, motor cases," etc.,' that once littered the bay have now been removed. ' ■■■■■'■ - "I find extreme difficulty over a number of tho sheds erected-1 on the foreshore in the outlying bays," added tho director. "In a number of cases they belong to men now on the No. 5 scheme, who do a littlo fishing to help to keep themselves and their families in food. They are not in a position to erect new sheds aud pay a licence fee, and if ordered to * remove their present sheds would only do so under strong protest. Action is at once taken to stop any further unauthorised ■ sheds from being erected. We have no control of sheds erected below high" water mark or those erected where tho Government controls the foreshore." Tho Scorching Bay domain and foreshoro handed over by tho Government to the control of tho council in 1930, had now become one of the most attractive resorts in tho city. Bathing sheds and conveniences for both sexes have been erected. Some tree planting would bo dono this winter. Iti had been suggested that the -domain would Jjo a good site for the proposed motor camp, and the proposal was worthy of consideration, but it might have an adverso effect on the council's tenants from whom was received in rent last year £230.