ANOTHER BATH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16138, 15 January 1913, Page 8

ANOTHER BATH.

Yesterday's nor'-wester drove many hundreds of peoplo to the municipal bath and emphasised tho need for the duplication of this public utility. Some 700 women and girls entered the bath between 2.30 p.m. and 9 p.m., and emerged cooled, cleansed and refreshed. But meanwhile as many men and boys had to stay outside because it was not their "day." It is rather a pity that they did not hold an indignation meeting in the municipal yard for the purpose of impressing upon tho City Council the importance of constructing a second bath without delay. The present one is a credit to the civic enterprise of Christchurch, and a boon to the discerning section of the community. But its privileges have to be divided between the sexes, except on the occasions when mixed bathing is permitted for a brief hour, and the consequence is that tho bath is nearly always closed either to the men or to the women. If there were two baths, no one would ever be disappointed and the amount of patronage which has been secured already makes it abundantly clear that no burden would be imposed on the ratepayers. The recent drowning fatalities have illustrated forcibly the importance of every person being able to swim and the tepid bath has proved its ability to disseminate the important knowledge broadcast through the community. But the construction of the second hath really is a simple business proposition which need not be reinforced by appeals to sentiment or humanitarian instincts. Tho municipality has created a demand which can be easily and profitably supplied and it should not hesitate to make the necessary provision for tho extension of its operations.