SHON TO UTILIZE THE WALLABI STEAMER.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5556, 26 July 1886, Page 4

SHON TO UTILIZE THE WALLABI STEAMER.

[to the editob.J ;e Corporation ought to buy 'she has pot a splendid boiler ' f ns capacity, also, a large self Dineter pump, and the Council aty of centrally situated land pundary street, should erect a iilding for Corporation baths eg, such as should exist in every the outlay for say a dozen bath a similar number of laundry } not entail a very large expen...,v* as the most important factor in the scheme is the boiler arid pump, which the old steamer Wallabi would supply, firowood and slack coal could be supplied at a very moderate cost, and the management of the establishment could be carried out by a man appointed by the Council, or let by tender annually.? is the great capacity of the boiler would supply steam at all times for the laundry depart- ' ment, and hot water for baths, there is little doubt it would prove a financial buccgbb.

The issue of quarterly or yearly tickets for the use of the baths, and a cheap ' tariff per hour for the use of the laundry sheds, as in towns where they have been introduced, would be all that is required. The laundry sheds are used all day and long into the nights in towns where the experiment has been tried. Steam ib always available for boiling the soiled ■HnSbfeft the female element have found advaltage and saving of time in taking the wreVs washing to the laundry sheds in a saving of ftiel at home and the despatch with whichthey can put through their weekly bundle of dirty clotheß. Who amongst the married men but wishes that washing day was got rid of, and yet grumble at the expense of sending it out at present prices. Old and young feel the effects of washing day at home : the baby is neglected all the day, the boys' lose their dumplings, the father does not show up for dinner. On washing 1 day the house is upset. Happiness would reign in every family in Greymouth if the Council would 9rect such an establishment. If the lady of the house did not care to go and wash out the week's linen fat the laundry shed, females wanting employment would be found in plenty to do it at a charge, a cheap fixed rate per hour, but as hot water and boiling arrangements are always at hand, a big family washing is got through in the hour. I think, with the prospects before Greymouth of a steady increase In population, the suggestion should receive support from our Councillors. The engine and ship gear would be a selling asset to recoup part of the purchase of the old steamer, and her hull, after dismantling, could be sold to the Harbor Board, who for small cost could raise her on a cradle, and wait for a slant of real settled weatker to tow her to the south tiphead. There made fast, filled with rubble and cement, ! and sunk, she would act as as a 600 tons i weight stone for a tie to the breakwater. All would then admit that the fast and favorite steamer Wallabi had served a good purpose. Trusting that now the Council and Town Clerk have waded through the various troubles of the Cobden bridge, they will have time to cogitate over this scheme ; and as at least 20 per cent can be go out of the venture, that $he service of the citizens's'urplus capital, which really wantß distributing, may be forthcoming with municipal security. — I am, &c, Economist. ["It will be seen that since our correpondent wrote his letter the Wallabi haß been purchased by a private firm as a speculation ; but that does not interfere with the feasibility of the plan suggested, [ either for an individual or a corporate body to work out.l