PUBLIC BATHS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 820, 22 January 1867, Page 2

PUBLIC BATHS.

The extreme heat of the weather— the thermometer having^f for many days, been seldom less than 80 ° in the c-Mest room— has again brought the subject of publio baths before the attention of our townsmen. Whether on thesc y ore of health or of personal comfort, we need say nothing to prove the value of bathing to any community, more especially to one situated in point of climate as is that of Napier and its vicinity. Baths are essential both to health and comfort ; and it is really matter of surprise that, the old bathing place below the Royal Hotel having fallen to decay, no means haye been taken to organise a company or take other steps for providing a similar convenience in another locality. We learn that a suitable place is to be found on the lagoon, to the right of Hastings-street, going from town — a spot that has been frequented for years, and is now frequented, for the purpose. We do not see, however, how bathing in a locality so near dwelling houses and the main road can avoid becoming a nuisance — that is, without a space being properly enclosed ; and, without such enclosure, ladies are wholly debarred a privilege which is even more essential to them, in a sanitary point of view, than to the other sex. , There should at once be.a meeting convened, with the view of forming a company for the erection of proper bathing conveniences, such as could

be used by either sex. A sufficient number, we are persuaded, would be found to take shares/ even if expecting no return beyond certain privileges in connection with the establishment. In matters such as this,, even where the importance of the object in view is freely admitted, it is difficult to surmount the apathy which prevails ; but, regarding this question as one, literally, of vital importance to the community, we trust that no such feeling will interpose to its being taken up in the first instance, and, in the second, to some feasible project being devised and carried into effect.