NGAIO BATHS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 129, 2 June 1936, Page 16

NGAIO BATHS

WATER A PROBLEM

CITY SUPPLY, ADVISED

A deputation from the Ngaio Progressive Association waited on the. reserves committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon to ask if the committee was yet in a position to give an assurance' that the Nagio swimming baths would be built

Mr. H. L. Cummings said that the association had been promised in October last that they would be informed of the decision, and having heard nothing, were now a little perturbed. Mr. A. L. Franks said that there was dissatisfaction over the delay in the district and residents were blaming the association. Mr. Cummings said that doubts had been raised as to the adequacy and quality of the water from the streams which the association' had suggested should be used to maintain a steady flow into and through the pool. He thought that perhaps the Health Department had set too high a standard, and remarked that it was possible that the water supply which could be made available at Ngaio would be cleaner and safer than the water in which people would bathe in Oriental Bay, to which harbour rubbish would be carried. The chairman of the committee, Councillor J. Burns, said that the committee had asked the association for certain information and for steps to be taken in connection with the laying of pipe lines to the baths site, but had received no reply. The information whether property owners would permit the laying of supply pipes was necessary to the committee. Since the last deputation had waited upon the committee further investigations had been made, and it had been found that the natural flow of water in the streams suggested would not be nearly sufficient to supply the baths. There was still available about £3000 from the sum received by the council in compensation for the taking of Thorndon Esplanade for railway purposes, but the estimate for the construction of the swimming pool, without a filter plant, was £3700.

STREAMS NOT SATISFACTORY. The City Engineer (Mr. K. E. Luke) said that in the opinion of the Health Department and of Mr. G. A. Hart, when City Engineer, the streams from which the natural supply might be drawn were definitely liable to pollution. The flow in September was such that it would take 3i days to fill the baths, and the only safe course would be to install a filtration plant and to use the city supply. The cost upon that basis would be £4986, and though the cost without the filtration plant would be lower, the annual charges for water would be somewhat higher on account of the need for more frequent changes. Mr. Cummings said that the property owners concerned had been approached as to their consent in permitting pipes to be laid to the site, but owing to the uncertainty as to what water supply was to be used their agreement could not be put into legal form. Councillor Burns said that the committee had not lost sight of the Ngaio baths. "The council was considering what further items should be added to the loan proposal to be put before the ratepayers shortly, and would go into the question of the baths in that regard. But, added Councillor Burns, apparently the idea of a supply of water from the nearby streams would have to be abandoned.