TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9165, Issue 9164, 14 March 1910, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

We hope the Committee of the Manawatu A. and P. Asso-

A ciation will not enterTwo Days' tain the suggestion Show. brought forward on Saturday that the Association should revert to a two-days' show. The feeling of those present at the annual meeting was evident from the scant consideration the proposal got, and it was understood that the incoming committee could discuss the matter if it pleased. A two-days' show would be a distinctly retrograde step, aud would mean that the Manawatu Association had decided to abandon it 6 position as the leading Association in the North Island. The place it left would no doubt be speedily occupied by some of its enterprising rivals. The expense for three days can be comparatively little more than for two days, so t'hat on this score there, is no argument for the change. It would be interesting to hear what reasons can be brought forward to support the proposal, and we should be surprised to learn that the gentleman responsible was in earnest. In any case the committee would be very ill-advised to give any serious thought to a step so destructive of the Association's prestige.

If the Borough Council could see its

way clear at to-mor-The Baths, row evening's meeting

to make some definite plans for the construction of swimming baths a large section of the public would be deeply grateful. It is well known that the feeling in Palmerston is strongly in favour of municipal baths, and in view of the support the project is receiving the matter should be pushed forward without delay. Th© most favourable time to bring a proposal of this nature before the ratepayers is in the summer, when a greater appreciation of the benefits of swimming baths is manifested, and if the project is delayed until the winter it will be robbed of much enthusiastic support. We have been requested to bring this Question again under the notice of the Council in the hope that some immediate action will be taken. We do not think the Council has any intention of shelving the scheme, as the construction of baths occupies a prominent place in its programme, and it has been necessary to procure certain information for the guidance of Councillors. It is hoped, however, that a report will be submitted at the meeting tomorrow evening, which will enable some finality to be reached. At a recent meeting it was decided to instruct the Engineer to supply an estimate of the cost of a public swimming bath to be heated from the proposed destructor.