MEETING AT NORTH DUNEDIN

Evening Star, Issue 17393, 1 July 1920, Page 8

MEETING AT NORTH DUNEDIN

MUNICIPAL BATHS URGED, A meeting of Dunedin North residents and surrounding districts, called by the George Street School Committee, was held in the school hall last evening for the purpose of considering the question of getting public baths constructed in the north end; and also to consider any other matters which might bo brought forward for the improvement of the City. sir J, Bissland (chairman of the school committee) was voted to the chair. He stated that for gome considerable time the school committee had been advocating that some sort of swimming pool be made in the Water of Leith, and the City Council had been written to. Tbe council had answered that the cost of the proposed pool would bo £585, and a dressing shed' £IOO. _ Tbe pool would be 100 ft long by 25ft' wide, and 3ft deep, at one end and 4ft at the other. The council also stated that they would' be glad to hear that the school committee would assist the matter financially. In regard to this the Chairman said that the school committee did not have suflicient funds to vote a large amount for this work. Some subscriptions had already been received. A dam had been made some years ago, but a flooded river had washed the wall away. He considered that a good spot for the baths would be what was known as the little dam in the Woodhaugh Gaidars. It had a natural flow of water and a natural by-wash.

Mr H. S. Bingham (secretary school committee) moved—. That in the opinion of this meeting it ia desirable tliat municipal baths and a dressing shed should be constructed in or near the Woodhaugh Gardens.

.Mr R. Feigqson, in seconding the mo tion, said that he was pleased to see some of too city councillors present, and Le was sure of their support. They wanted the pool by next season. This pool, when made, would be in a large residential district and' would be well patronised. St. Clair Baths were too far away for the people of the north end. Personally he thought it would be a great asset to the children of the schools. He considered that it was the duty of the City Council to construct the baths. He did not think that the school committee should give a subsidy, but if the residents or the committee were going to give a subsidy, then they should have representation in the management of the "baths. In the summer time people preferred bathing out in the open air, and the pool would be better patronised than the City Municipal Baths, also people would come from other parte of the City. _ Mr J. Wallace (chairman of the Education Board) supported the motion. He said that the baths in the CStv were too far away for the children of'the north end. More children should be taught to swim. If they had a pool at the north end the children would nave more time to learn. He agreed with the previous speaker in that they.should not subsidise the construction of the pool; they could perhaps subsidise the upkeep. It would be a step in the right direction if a pool was put somewhere in the Woodhaugh Gardens.

Mr Patterson (head master), in speaking to the motion, emphasised the beneficial results of swimming for children. In answer to a question, the Chairman stated that the pool was to be constructed of concrete, and the selection of a site was not in their hands. Ihe motion was carried.

ihe Chairman suggested that collectors should be appointed to canvas for funds. It was the surest proof that they wanted the baths if they handed the council over a good sum. Mr Ferguson said he thought they should wait and see what the council were going to do first before collecting money. . Gr Green said that as far as the municipal baths were concerned, they were a municipal failure. They could not get anjone to take over the Roslyu pool and the St. Clair lessee wanted to throw up his lease. It was only for a few months in the year that any return was made. The council had been more than generous as they supplied water to these baths, to the Y.M.C.A., and to the Boys’ High School. He was not opposing the scheme, but they should not run ,way with the idea that the council should construct the baths. If enough money was subscribed perhaps the council would do something to help them to get the pool constructed. The site ought to be left to the engineer and the building 'surveyor; also they would want a caretaker.

Mr Patterson, in answer to a question, said that a very small percentage of the George Street School children learnt to swim at the- Municipal Baths in town. Mr J. ATPhee (a teacher) said that he took a class to the baths last season, and 50 per cent, learnt to swim. A question: “Did you help the instructor?” 'Mr M’Phee : “ Yes.” Mi l Ferguson said they would nob want a caretaker; they did not want an elaborate bath; and all they wanted the council to do was to see that the pool was cleaned out occasionally. * Cr Calder said ho would bo very pleased to see the baths constructed, but as a City councillor he did not like to hear them run down the Municipal Baths. Cr Scott said that, although thev had lost financially over the Municipal Baths, the baths were a municipal benefit. Ha would like them to remember that in running a municipal bath they would have plenty of trouble. He assured them that the council had no money to bum. 'The way to get the baths was to go right ahead and show the council that they were in earnest.

Mr Taylor moved—— That the George Street School Committee, with power to add, be formed ns a committee for the purpose of collecting funds. Mr Wilson seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Ferguson moved— ST7- Th^i t th i S meetin ff consider that the \Voodhaugh Gardens would be greatly improved by cutting away a quantity of the undergrowth and scrub, and that the general improvement of this ground should engage the immediate attention o£ the City Council. Mr Ferguson explained that the WoodJiaugh Garden was one of the beauty spots of the City, and should be looked after. It could be wonderfully improved, making 1 “ excellent children’s playgrounds. The motion was carried. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.