SWIMMING BATHS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 139, 10 June 1909, Page 5

SWIMMING BATHS.

A START TO BE MADE.

A meeting of the Swimming Baths Committee was held last night. Present: Messrs J. McKinley, D. P. Sinclair (Secretary), W. Churchward, W. Ching, A. It; Thomson, S. J. Heffer, C. Hegglun, E. J. Hill and Dr. Innes. The.Secretary said that, including the More Men Fund and the amount taken at the Minstrel Show, the Committee had how a sum of £285 12s 2d, and there were still- some outstanding subscriptions to come in. The Chairman said that it would be as well, once for all, to settle the question of site. It was an everrecurring question. They had already spent £20 18s on the present site in sinking the wells. Mr Churchward said he had two offers of £10 each and several guineas promised, provided the site were acceptable. The present site was n6t acceptable. Another offer was handed in of £2 2s per year subscription, once the tender was let.

Mr Heffer said he could not see what objection there was to the site. He himself thought it a splendid site. It was central, and most suitable for its facilities for drainage. It would also tako a few subscriptions to make up the £20 18s already spent. Mr Ching spoke in reference to the site. He did not see how they could do better. It was as central a site as they could get. He would suggest that the Council be informed that the baths, would be erected on the present sit%. Mr Churchward said he admitted it was impossible to buy a site. No one had offered to give one, and the question of site had been made public by the press. There were other plots of land belonging to the Council which wero more suitable', and he thought that the Council should give one of them. He then mentioned several plots of land which would be suitable. He suggested a deputation to wait on the present Council in the matter. He moved to that effect.

Mr Thomson seconded pro forma. He would like to hear it discussed, although he did. not approve-, of the motion. ,

Mr Hill said that that would mean a considerable delay, and there had been too much delay already. If they went to the Council they might not give them a piece of land, and it would be better to keep faith with the public and get on with the baths without delay.

Mr Heffer and Mr Ching also thought it useless to again approach the Council., They both thought it best to set to work at once and have the tender let. Mr Ching suggested that the Council be asked to hand the' More Men Fund over, and then get to work. The Chairmau, Mr Churchward and Dr. Innes were appointed to wait on the Mayor and Mr Sinclair in reference to the More Men Fund.

The Chairman then moved that Hegglun Bros, be instructed to pro-? ceed with the work of the concrete tank, up to a sum of £266, at which the contractors estimated that portion of work would bo completed; This instruction was subject' to the More Men Fund being obtained.

Mr Ching seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr,. R. P. Furness was, ejected, a hiembei' of the Committee by "acclamation.

The Chairman said that Mr J. Drap&r had offered to give £1 Is to the fund, and had also offered to kill a bullock and have a. guessing competition in"'^id of the funds. Messrs Ching, Thomson and Heffer were appointed to wait on Mi- Draper and arrange details. Mr Churchward rendered a statement of accounts in reference to the Christy Minstrel entertainment, which showed a net credit of £22 12s. There would be a little more forthcoming in regard to advertisements on the programme, which would further swell the amount by about £2.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to all those who took part in the entertainmentj including the orchestra. A special vote of thanks was also accorded to Professor yon Lubbe for the time and trouble he had taken in the show.

A hearty vote of- thanks was also accorded to Mr Churchward for his work in connection with the Minstrel Show.

A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting.