SWIMMING BATHS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 232, 17 September 1935, Page 3

SWIMMING BATHS

Tara dale and Greenmeadows

LOAN POLL SUGGESTED The proposal to establish public swimming baths in Taradale was advanced a step further last evening, when at a public meeting of Taradale and Greenmeadows residents it was unanimously decided that the Taradale Town Board be approached with a view to the placing of a loan poll before the ratepayers to provide the necessary funds for the scheme. It was also decided that a public meeting be held in Greenmeadows on Thursday night to consider the proposal, it being suggested that the Hawke's Bay County Council should be approached with a view to giving financial assistance. Several of the Greenmeadows residents present considered that the financial burden for such a scheme should not be carried entirely by the Taradale people, and that a portion of Greenmeadows should be included in the area which would become liable for the payment of a rate to secure the loan.

A committee which was appointed some months ago to make investigations concerning swimming baths for Taradale reported that Mr G. Wilson had provided a plan which embodied all the requirements of a modern swimming bath 100 feet in length, 40 feet wide and with a maximum depth of eight feet. In conjunction with Mr J. Ellis he had prepared an estimate, and to complete the proposal as designed, which included a surrounding fence, a number of cubicles and an office, approximately £1350 would be required. This estimate to some extent was governed by the site to be selected. SELECTION OF SITE. Several sections had been examined, for which prices had been obtained. The committee was desirous of meeting the wishes of the Greenmeadows residents in selecting as far as was possible a site which was convenient to the whole district. It was pointed out that any site north of the Soldiers’ Memorial would involve pumping, which would mean a fixed overhead expense. The only convenient site with natural drainage was one in White street, which was 10 feet above tho bed of the Taipo creek.

Tho committee, in investigating the possibility of financing the scheme, had approached the Commissioner of Unemployment as to the extent of assistance that would be given in the matter of labour. The Commissioner had replied stating that the Unemployment Board would subsidise the wages of registered men to the extent of 35/- per man per week, providing that full standard rates were paid and a full week’s employment given to each man. This offer the committee regarded as being very satisfactory, and, as it represented about £350, the net cost required would be about £lOOO. It would be a pity if the opportunity were allowed to pass whereby baths for the district could be obtained for such a sum. The committee realised that unless some generousminded citizen donated a suitable section and voluntary labour on a large scale was available it would take a long time to raise the necessary funds by special effort. Mr G. Webb, who presided, briefly outlined the work done by the committee, and he commended the scheme to the meeting. Dr D. A. C. Will stressed the advantages of swimming baths in the district as a valuable factor in public health. GREENMEADOWS’ SHARE. Mr J. Miller, of Greenmeadows, expressed the opinion that Taradale should not have to bear the total cost of the scheme, and suggested that a rate should be levied over the whole area, including Greenmeadows, which would benefit by the baths. In reply to a question, the secretary of the committee, Mr J. A. Wilkinson, said that a rate levied for this purpose would bo approximately 1/- in the £lOO on unimproved value. Mr F. O. Anderson considered it futile to attempt to raise the necessary money other than by a loan of the ratepayers.

Mr H. Aiderton considered that it would only .be a waste of time to try to raise the money by public subscription. In his opinion, the committee should approach the Taradale Town Board with a request that a loan proposal be submitted to the ratepayers. Mr Wilkinson pointed out that the baths could serve a dual purpose as a reservoir for any fire-control scheme for the township. The water could be piped out from the borough and so increase the radius of the township which could be brought under lire control. A suggestion was made that the scheme could be constructed in conjunction with the proposed women’s rest, towards which work the Town Board held £250. It was suggested that by such means both schemes could be considerably cheapened. The embodying of the women’s rest would, however, largely depend upon the site selected for the baths. On the motion of Mr J. Miller, it was decided to approach the Town Board with a request that a loan poll be submitted to the ratepayers. On the suggestion of Dr Will, it was resolved that a meeting be held in Greenmeadows on Thursday night to discuss the scheme and to seek the support of residents in that township.