THE BOROUGH BATHS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10526, 2 December 1916, Page 2

THE BOROUGH BATHS.

The baths question again came up for j discussion at a special meeting of 111<- ' Borough Council last evening on a notice of motion tabled by -.'<:. Crabb to rescind the resolution lo lako a further loan ol £7)000 to complete the baths. Tho discussion was very lengthy, and motions and amendments ut times wen so thick thai tho Council hardly knew where it. was. The outcoino of tho intricate debate, how ever, was that tho new loan proposal was rescinded, and a further motion passed authorising the erection of tho baths minus tho heating, tiling and roofing, these to bo added at a later date. Or. Crabb, in moving tho resolution i" rescind, said he did so to clear the air and clear the way for further consideration. He feared that a further loan foi so large an amount would nor be carried, and also that it would delay the baths till too late for tho coming season. He suggested cutting out certai.i things in the present baths, which, could bo added later, and for which a loan at some future date ,voiild ''■ more easily obtained, it is loan were asked for now the site question would certainly be raised, and that might ,;dd another £IOOO to tho loan. Cr. Crabb suggested cutting out the heating, tiling and roof, which were estimated at £I7OO, and this would leave £4OOO. Ho thought ho was right in saying 'mat each one of dies'? things could bo added later without anv additional cost. Cr. Broad; Tho money was granted for tepid baths. This would not be a tepid bath. Cr. Crabb said provision would be made for tepid baths, but they could not be completed for the money available or until a further loan was sanctioned. Tho opinion was expressed by the Borough Solicitor (Mr F. H. Cooke), who was present, that the proposal would be in order because the portion of the baths erected would be pa it of tho tepid bath.;. Cr. Broad pointed our, that the lean already granted was £4OOO, to which could be added the 10 per cent, allowed by law. He suggested further that the £990 received from the Education Board by way of an exchange of land, and at present lying idle, be used, bringing the total io £5390. Legal advice, however, showed that the £990 was earmarked by statute for other purposes. , Cr, Clausen supported Cr. Crabb s motion, ' and considered that the work should be gone on with it once Cr. Crabb's .notion was carried. i \ further motion was moved by Cr. Crabb, and seconded by Cr. Rolfe, which aimed al calling for competitive designs. To this an amendment was moved by Cr Broad: "That the work bo proceeded with at once, leaving i.he tiling, heating and roofing lo bo added as soon as possible, the Engineer's prepared plans to be used." . . The amendment was carried, but was held over by consent till Tuesday to enable Councillors to study the plans. Cr Seifert moved, and Cr. Crabb sec•ided: "That the plans he open at the Borough OfHce for inspection by interested ratepayers." . Cr. Rolfe objected on the grounds ol professional etiquette, and the Engineer also objected. The motion was lost.