NGAIO BATHS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 60, 12 March 1937, Page 7

NGAIO BATHS

NO MONEY AVAILABLE

CONSIDERATION LATER

Further reference to the building of baths at Ngaio was made at the meeting of the City Council last night, when the-reserves committee reported that: it. had received a deputation from the Ngaio Progressive Association asking if it was the intention of the council to proceed with.. the erection of swmming baths in the district in the near future. The deputation, said the chairman, Councillor J. Burns,, was informed that the baths could not be proceeded with at the present time, but that the proposal would be recommended to the council for favourable consideration at a later date .when money was available for the purpose. ■' ■Councillor B. A. Wright M.P., said that the council might as well be quite candid about it and say t.'.at the baths \yould not be provided, for "when money was available" really meant that money was not and would not be available, and that Ngaio was to be left high and dry. Councillor P. M. Butler returned to an old charge, that Councillor Wright had himself cast his vote against the Ngaio baths, by voting for the 'expenditure of funds available from Thorndon Esplanade compensation upon the Oriental Bay bathing pavilion. . . ." Other councillors „ recalled the enthusiastic references which had been made to Councillor Butler's part in securing the Karori' baths and for a few minutes the council chamber had quite a pre-election atmosphere, with the Mayor as referee, and suggesting that all councillors were quite genuine in their expressed desire to see baths provided in all suburbs. Councillor L. McKenzie said that the promise which had been made to Ngaio was one based upon an assurance, that a natural water supply was available, but when the position was investigated it was found that the water supply was not adequate and that, in addiion, it would require a filtration plant. That was the bugbear before the council. He suggested that the problem should be regarded more broadly, for. were "Ngaio and Khandallah under one boundary and one name there would never have been any question of. two baths. Councillor W. Duncan (referring to the Khandallah baths): It is only a saucepan! A RAW DEAL. Councillor Duncan said that he I thought that Ngaio, whose people had always been ready to help themselves, had had v a raw deal, and the council did owe to Ngaio an obligation to make provision as early as was possible. Every councillor, said Councillor C. H. Chapmas, M.P., wished to see baths provided at Ngaio, and he did regret thai a more 'generous reply had not been made to residents who had shown a rear civic spirit. He would have preferred .to have seen, the deputation given an assurance that they were next on the list. Perhaps the chairman had'been not quite diplomatic, in giving so blunt an answer. The fact was that the council had not the money, and the manner in which the loan proposals had been turned down showed that money cannot be obtained, said the Mayor (Mr. T;. C. A. Hislop). The reply made was simply a statement of fact and the only one that could have been made. Councillor E. McKeen, M.P., agreed with that view and said that the very insistence of the deputation for an answer, yes "or no, demanded that answer. ' • • : .Councillor T. Brindle thought that the Khandallah baths'might be extended, thus catering for an increased number.- •O'hat might.be done out of revenue^ Other than that, there would have to be an increase in the rates, or money by loan. Councillor J. Head said that certain moneys were allocated for the baths, but they had to be dipped into for other works. Would Councillor Wright approve of £8000 being put on the estimates? Otherwise he would have to support the .committee's recommendation. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT. Councillor Burns said he had informed the deputation that the reserves committee and the whole council: were in favour of the baths at Ngaio. The whole trouble was that it had been found that the baths could not be built and the natural water supply used. Ngaio had never been allocated' anything out of the Thorndon Esplanade money, nor was any promise made. As far as the outlying districts had been concerned, it was agreed that Karori's need was paramount. . The districts were expanding, and it was possible that the need of Ngaio.might be met by extending the Khandallah. baths. It was no use to tell the deputation that the council had the money when it.did not have The report was adopted. . PERMANENT SURFACE ABOUT POOL. Another proposal made by. the committee was that provision should be made in next year's estimates for improvements at Karori baths, Councillor Burns explaining that when the baths were built.there were not sufficient funds for the laying of a ■ permanent surface about thep.ool. Consequently a good deal of gravel was picked up by bathers' feet'and was very difficult to remove from the bottom. The committee also, proposed that provision should be made in the estimates for bathing sheds at Ohiro Bay. Mr. • Hislop remarked, that there was also the question of accommodation at Princess Bay. ~,,,. Councillor Burns agreed that that was so, but said the committee considered the need for accommodation at j Ohiro Bay was more urgent.