Hawke's Bay Herald TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1867.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 828, 19 February 1867, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1867.

The subject of public swimming baths is one of great importance in a sanitary point of view. Impressed with this, we applied to a gentleman who had given the subject some attention, and who is well qualified to give an opinion, to put his views upon paper. This lie has done in the shape of a letter to the editor, which we have much pleasure in appending. We trust that this matter will be takeu up with alacrity aud spirit, and that some practical steps will speedily be takeu : — Dear Mu. Editor. — The necessity of ! public bafchs in Napier has been pointed out repeatedly in the columns ofthe Herald. This is admitted on all sides, bufc no scheme for their establishment has been brought before the public, probably owing to the difficulty of hitting upon one suitable for the requiremehts of our very scattered population. It must appear very strange that the inhabitants of a small Island like ours should find it difficult to get a bathing place, and that our youngsters should grow up without learning to swim, but the fact is undeniable. I do not flatter myself to have solved the problem ; on the contrary, I have to admit beforehand that my plan is open to many well-grounded objections, but bringing ifc before the public may lead to discussion, and ultimately lead to the adoption of a scheme. The portion of Napier fronting Hawke's Bay, viz., from the Pilot reserve, by the lighthouse Bluff, to the end of the White Hoad, must be looked upon as unavailable for the purpose, as the strength of any structure necessary to resist the action of the sea would be beyond the means likely to be obtained. This leaves for our consideration only the portion fronting what is generally termed the Ahuriri Harbour. On examination of this portion I have found oftly three points worth consideration : — First. The bight between Goldsmith's Road (Canteen Gully) and Battery Point. The bottom here 'is good, the water shelving ' from 2 to 6 feet, bufc the drawbacks are the distance from the present centre of population (near Government Offices), the want

| of a road between Mr. Catchpool's and Battery Point, and the costliness of build- . ings to protect against being overlooked from the surrounding hills. But even allow- > ing that a road was made, I fear that the ' distance would be a fatal objection with the majority of the inhabitants. Second. The original bathing place near the Royal Hotel. The bottom here is pretty goody and depth of water. from 3 to 5 feet, bufc the objections of distance and costliness of buildings are similar to Battery Point. The third place is about half-way between the bottom of Carlyie-street and the end ofthe White Road, about 150 yards to the east of the tidal stream connecting the Lagoon with the, so-called, Ahuriri Habour.y I consider this the least objectionable, the distance not exceeding half-a-mile for by far the greater number of the inhabitants, and the overlooking hills being at least 400 yards distant. As the water is very shallow near the shore, it would be necessary to place the buildings about 60 yards from the shore, connecting them by a landing stage with ifc. By doing this, from 3to 5% feet of water at the different stages of the tides will be obtained. The placing of the buildings from the shore would have the advantage of reducing the dimensions necessary for excluding the bathers from the view of passers by. The bottom here is composed of fragments of shells, sand, and alluvial soil, but pretty firm. It cannot be considered a great hardship that the bathers may have to wash their feet before dressing. The cost ofthe buildings will of course depend upon size and internal arrangements, but I consider an enclosure of 30 feet by 120 feet ample for present requirements. The 30 feet facing Wellesly Road (north,) and about 20 feet on each side, should be enclosed by sheds for the accommodation of bathers and so exclude the view. The remainder of the space to be provided with strong wire netting secured to piles, so as to keep out sharks and other enemies. A structure of this description would cost about £300. This amount might be obtained by 50 subscribers at £6 each, who in place of interest or dividend, have for themselves and their families the use of the baths free of charge. All non-subscribers to pay for each day, month, or season, fixed fees, which would go towards the maintenance of the buildings and the persons in charge of the establishment. Certain hours to be set aside for females and children. No objection can reasonably be made that bathers are exposed to the view of the pas-sers-by, as those would be atleast 120 yards distant, while the bathers are submerged at least 3tj- feet. Bathing habits should be kept for the use of females. As stated above, I am aware that this scheme is open to many objections. For some, the distance from their homes will be too great ; for others, the space too confined and the water too shallow ; but, knowing that nearly every resident feels with me the necessity that for health and comfort's sake something must be done, I hope that ifc will 1 eacl to consideration of the subject and ultimately to the establishment of some bathing place. Bufc, as nearly as many different views may be entertained as there are inhabitants here respecting the requirements of a bathing establishment, we will never be able to agree upon any plan unless we are prepared and determined to sacrifice to a certain extent our own views and even interests ; and, further, we should not be too fastidious in our requirements, bufc bear in mind that our whole population is but that of an English village, and that we are not overburdened with cash. Some objection will be made that. the summer season is now drawing to a close and that the Avarm weather will be over before the building can be got ready, but I believe that, as all the necessary materials are in Napier now, the work can be completed within one month after acceptance of tender, and I fear that, unless taken in hand while we feel the want, the next summer may find us again unprepared. I am &c, Diver.