PUBLIC BATHS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 15 August 1921, Page 4

PUBLIC BATHS

iMFItOVKMENTS PROPOSED.

•SWIMMING CLUB'S 'CONTRIBU-

TION

A roporfc wus before the Borough Council on Friday i'rorn the Batns Committee rucommending the expendi- j turo of £63 5s in improving the bath. One of the proposals was the shifting of the fence running along the buck of Messrs Welsh, McCarthy, and Beochey's offices so as to provide increased accommodation for spectators.' Cr Stevens, in moving the adoption of the report, said the Council would recover anything they might spend from the Swimming Club under arrangements that were being made. The shifting of the fence would provide accommodation for an additional 200, which would mean an increase in the takings when carnivals were held. - The Mayor considered that they should have something definite as to what the Swimming Club was prepared to do. The club had not so far taken the Council into their confidence, and had not forwarded a copy of the bal-ance-sheet, showing how the funds had been dealt with. If the club would give an assurance that they would find a large share of the cost of the improvements it would have a considerable effect on the vote that night. The Council had to look very carefully at all the expenditure. He understood that it was the club's intention to run two carnivals before Christmas and give the proceeds to the Council. Cr Stevens said the Swimming Club was quite willing to do the best they could, and if a balance-sheet was asked for he was sure they would be only too willing to supply it. The Baths Committee and" the Swimming Club expected to raise £50 during the season, and with that amount the Council should be well satisfied. • The Mayor: We would be very pleased with even £40. The Council was led to understand early last season that the club would give it a donation. So far they had received nothing, neither had they a statement showing whether the club funds were in debit or credit. It was for that reason he brought the matter up. Cr Osborne moved that they apply to the club for a copy of the balancesheet.

Cr Burdekin seconded pro forma. He | said he had had considerable experience with sports clubs, and the Swimming Club by the time and enthusiasm it had put into its work had given the town a good boost last year. Visitors from as far away as Wanganui had spoken very highly of the carnival that had been held. The club had a good solid credit, and during the coming season would be able to offer better trophies and more inducement to swimmers from outside to come to Hawera, with the result that they would have bigger gates, of which the Council would receive its full share. He j was confident that they could leave the i matter in the Swimming Club's hands. ,He was sure they would do the fair . thing, and the club would be doing the town a great service by running carnivals. .The Mayor: The Council very highly appreciates what the club is doing, but the Council has been promised assistance and so far none has been given. Cr Osborne: By asking for the bal-ance-sheet we are not saying that we YfsVs to commandeer #ieir ne.st. Cr Moi'rissey- said he understood that two carnivals were to be held during the coming season, the proceeds of which were to be spent on the : baths. If the money was spent in this ' way it would benefit -the club. If there were no baths the club would have no revenue at all, and in fair- ' negs they should contribute. He thought the. club should run two carnivals for the Council. Cr Morrissey paid a tribute to the good work done by the caretaker of the baths. Cr Grant said he did not know of any assistance having been promised by the club last year. .•■ i The Mayor said the promise was given to the chairman of the Baths Committee. Cr Grant: He must have misunderstood the club, but he could assure the Council that assistance would be given this year. He did not like the idea of two carnivals. He,, favoured giving the Council 10 per cent of the gross gate receipts. There were others besides the Swimming Club who ran carnivals, such as the Cadets, and they would' collect the percentage from these also. He moved that the Council receive 10 per cent of the . gross proceeds. •'-"--. Cr Reid seconded pro forma, and said that some lost sight of the fact that the baths were instituted for tHe good of the town, one of the objects being to teach the children to swim. It was not a matter of pounds, shillings- and pence, and he had said years ago when the baths were built that they were not intended to pay. He would support any proposal to advance swimming, but not any special club using the baths. , Cr Osborne's motion was lost. j Speaking to the amendment, which the Mayor ruled was a separate motion, Cr Osborne pointed out that by adopting it they would be telling the '■ Swimming Club that_ the Council did not wish them to give two carnivals for the benefit of the Council. i After some- further discussion the motion was. lost. The report was then adopted. j THE COMING SEASON. The improvements to the public baths sanctioned by the Council provide for seating accommodation for an additional 200 people, a new exit through the library to High street (to be used only on special occasions), the strengthening and painting of the chute, sundry repairs, and asphalting where required. It is proposed during the coming season to organise two carnivals, for which trophies are to be collected by the custodian. The carnivals are to ;be run under the control of the Swimming Club, and the whole of the proi ceeds are to go to the Borough Coun- . cil. -- Extra liours are included in the new time-table arranged by the custodian (Mr J. Dowdle). On the Tuesday and Thursday men and boys, and on "Wed--1 nesdays and Fridays ladies and girls, will be permitted to use'the baths be- ' tween 10 arid 10.30 each morning as well ,as during the usual early hours. On Saturday, from 10 to 11.30 a.m., mixed bathing-will be permitted. The State Schools' are to receive . better consideration, and the baths will be open as follows: Technical , School and Convent boys, Monday and i Thursday, from 12.30 till 1.30. Technical School and Convent girls, Tues- • j day and Friday, from 12.30 to 1.30 p.m. The public schools will be per- , mitted to use the baths between 3 and . 4 in the afternoon. JOn Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning the ladies' hours have been increased by half _an hour. 1 The custodian will start a fortnight before November 1, when he intends to try and induce all parents to obtain season tickets, especially, for the

■ boy» and girls, which will be issued at 2s 6d each for the whole season. For -the midday swim children may. if they please, take their lunches and eat them at the baths. Mr J. Dowdle has been reappointed custodian.