CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume L, Issue 9002, 26 January 1906, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE PUBLIC BATHS.

(To the Editor.)

gjr # — Ninety-seven per cent, of the adult i male, season-ticket-, holders petitioned the i Borough Council to allow them to dispense with bathing costumes b&foie 8 a.m., up to which hour practically they alone are concerned. The grounds of the petition .were briefly, that -the use of clothing in the ■water is not conducive to - deanluMss, health, or comfort j that it deprives the wearer of the real benefit and pleasure of his daily bath ; that it- is not convenient to carry wet .clothing; that it tends to limit the attendance, and that it is superfluous as -bathers _now freely "bask in the %un when' drying.! The reply to an apparentily reasonable -request was eminently characteristic of. those who know nothing of the question at issue. They seldom, look inside the baths; much less do they indulge in the salutary pleasure of bathing with us, possibly because of their lack of suitable costumes, and so far as we can learn, did not even- consult their capable carelaker, but replied, in effect : — 1. "Not half a dozen care one way, or another." — Give is the opportunity, ' see' whether even one of the 28 petitioners or any others will ever wear clothing before 8 a.m., then .note the increased attendance of bathers up to that hour.

2. "The caretaker would lose about 8d a week" for the hire of trunks." This reply speaks eloquently of the policy of failure, and also suggests the question of safety in using, hired garments, which ■under any circumstances is abhorrent to every clean healthy man. 3. "It is not customary jeXsewhere." Even if it' were true the logic of this reply is not apparent; but ask the Tourist Department if at tihear varions public "baths they do not compel every bather to enter the water without clothing, and whether at' all seaside resorts clothing Is deemed unnecessary .in the early mornings. 4. "We must stop them drying in the sun." Councillors never bathe, thereforie others must be restricted in every possible direction. The sooner the managemtent is given over to Mr and Mrs . Parkin, who have knowledge^of requirements and are open to reason, the better for tbte baths and the "bathers. Yours faithfully, 1 "TfTF. PETITIONERS. '