SWIMMING BATHS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1908, Page 5

SWIMMING BATHS.

COMMITTEE MEETING

THE SITE,

A special meeting of the Blenheim Swimming Baths Committee was held ■! on the proposed site of the baths yes- ! terday, afternoon, when there were pre- ; sent l The Chairman of the Committee '(Mr J. McKinley), Messrs S. J. Heffer, T. Revell, C. Hegglun and W. !T. Churchward. The meeting was called at the instigation of Mr Cnurch- / ward, who had some doubt as to the suitability of tlie site which had been chosen. He explained to the Committee that Mr Austin had told him that on the site which they proposed there might not be a suitable bottom, and the settling of the earth might cause the concrete to crack and the .baths to become useless in consequence. He also advanced another objection to the site, which was that in time it would become surrounded with mercantile buildings, which would command a view of the baths. The only thing in favour of the site in his opinion was its central position. He was inclined to think that if the matter were put before the public, and a request for a site made, someone would "come to light" and give a site. j The other members of the Commit-' ; tee present were, however, more optimistic as regards the suitability of ; the site chosen. i Mr McKinley had spoken to a num- ; ber of practical men, each of whom had said that; there was no danger of their not finding a suitable bottom on •i the site. Ha was of the opinion that j the best thing they could do was to S "«?o ahefd" with the work at once. i The only thing he (Mr McKinley) was afraid of w&s about the well. They , might not get a sufficient flow of water at a reasonable depth. He knew that there were some old willow ! stumps in the ground, but they could i insert a clause in the specifications . that the contractor, when building j the baths, if he came across one of • these stumps was to take it right ! out and fill up the place with boulders. llt was no use their building over a ! stump like that. They could, of j course, allow the contractor something ■ extra for such work*. ; Other members of the Committee ; were also in agreement with the views jof Mr McKinley, and it was finally ! agreed that the successful tenderer ■ ror the well; be instructed to proceed ; with that portion of the work at once. «; The meeting then broke up, Mr \ Churchward still remaining sceptical in regard to the suitability of the site. ■ _ The tender of Messrs Bythell and Co. for sinking an artesian well on j the site of the baths has. been accepted.