NOW A “WHITE ELEPHANT”

Evening Star, Issue 23737, 19 November 1940, Page 3

NOW A “WHITE ELEPHANT”

♦— THE ST. CLAIR BATHS That the St. Clair baths had evidently outlived their usefulness and were practically a white elephant was the opinion passed by Cr E. J. Smith at the City Council’s fortnightly meeting last night. The discussion arose when the chairman of the General Committee, Cr Henderson, recommended that authority be "ranted to expend the sum of £52 upon, certain urgent repairs to the outlet valve, clearing sand and gravel from the pool and repairing the outside walling in preparation for the coming swimming season. It was stated that the amount provided in the allocation for maintenance of the baths would not be sufficient to cover the cost of this work, and that was apart from further repairs and painting required at an estimated cost of an additional £335. Cr Smith contended that the baths were not patronised to an extent justifying their continued upkeep, because of the growing popularity of surfing and also the difficulty experienced in recent years in keeping a reasonable depth of water in the pool. * It was only nine months, Cr Henderson said, since the baths were last cleared of a large accumulation of sand and stones. Cr Smith considered that before further major repairs and alterations were

made a report should be obtained with! a view to deciding whether of not th® baths should be maintained at ah after: the summer. Dunedin, he said, required an Olympic- pool, preferably: nearer the city, and one which would not be unprofitable as that at St. Claig had clearly proved- to he.