THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1896. THE CONDITION OF THE BATHS.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 175, 8 April 1896, Page 2

THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1896. THE CONDITION OF THE BATHS.

The Paths litre, so far as cleanliness is concerned, should be above susi pioion, and it was therefore with the strongest dissatisfaction that we read a letter in the Auckland ] [erald from Mr "W. Milbourne, of Adelaide, S. A., a recent visitor, drawing attention to the unckanly condition of the various bath houses. '• I fearlessly assert " writes Mr Milbourne " that some of the baths are dirty in the extreme; towels, ditto." In legard to the latter it had been previously pointed out in these columns that the towels at the Postmaster Bath had been specially complained of and it was hoped that the matter would at once be remedied. It appears, however, from Mr Milbourne's letter and complaints made subsequently, and still being- made, that no attention whatever has been paid to what is a manifest necessity, and that in other matters, not sololy confined to the Postmaster's Path, that degree of cleanliness is not maintained which ought to prevail in bathing establishments. Mr Milbourne's letter was discussed in an informal manner at, the last Town Board meeting, but as the attendants at the various bath houses, are under Dr Giuuers' control his abseuce prevented any definite notion being taken. This system of divided control over the baths is at times' most embarrassing. In the course of the discussion it was rather curious to hear a member of the Board say that under the present system it was simply impossible to wash the bath towels properly. It was st-.ted that the attendant at each bath house is required to wash the towels belonging thereto, though, with the exception of the Pavilion, there uro no facilities for doing so. Near the Pavilion a bath house was erected at a cost oi over .£;J00, and it has been gem rally considered by the outside public that in this house the whole of the washing iu connection with the baths is conducted. A visit to the place, however, shows that, what was 01100 u well-ap-pointed wash-house has been dism an tied ; the coppers removed, aud tlii! lire-place left in such a condition that we question if it would bo possible to boil a " billy in it. A wooden trough, appeara to be all that is left, witli a patent wringer attached, but wringing, save by hand, is a process

to which no bath towel should he subjected. There ia no provision for subjecting the towels to immersion in boiling water which is an absolute necessity for various ovident reasons. We are unaware why the wash-house was dismantled—it happened over 11 years ago—but presume it was done under authority. It is most necessary that it should be refitted, and arrangements made for the efficient washing under one roof of all towels, lounge covers, brushes, combs, &c, for the various bath houses Hose should also be provided for the proper flushing, morning and night, of the various dressing-boxes, Ac, and it should be the special duty of some one to see that this matter is duly attended to. The absolute cleanliness of everything pertaining to our baths must be placed beyond dispute. In regard to the other matters referred to, viz., the disparity of temperature between the various Priest's baths, the want of many conveniences at the Postmaster Bath, and the necessity for having a female attendant there, we expect that these things will in the fulness of time arrange themselves. Under all the circumstances attending the condition of the Baths bore, however, we cannot but view with disapproval (lie spending of £. r >/j0 on the erection of a women's swimming bath when the existing accommodation is so deficient in so many particulars. Let us plane what we have on a good serviceable basis hoforo we increase the number of buildings. A propos of the above we find the utmost dissatisfaction expressed by visitors who, arriving hero for a short stay of a few days, find the baths closed against them on public holidays. At Ch'istmas time similar complaints were made, and on malting enquiry we wore assured th t it had been'decided in future to open the b <ths as usual on public holidays, with the exception of Gool Friday and Christmas Day, whon Sunday hours would bo observed. A paragraph appeared in these columns to that effect. On Faster Monday, however, the Baths closed at 8 o'clock a.m. to the disappoint, merit of m-my. The Postmaster b .th remained open, it is true, simply on account of the attendant there expressing no desire for a bolid-y, and the Blue B.ith was open for a somewb t similar' reason. Wo have no wish to d- pu've the hard-worked attendants ,it th<- various baths of their holiday, but we would point out tli t the convenience of visitors must bo the first consideration It would be an easy matter to find some one, siy an inmate of the Sanatorium, who would be glad to take temporary charge on snob occasions. It is intolerable to hear it repeated, time after time, that the baths here seem to be run in the interests <f the attendants, and not for the convenience of the public.