TEPID BATHS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 5, 4 December 1928, Page 2

TEPID BATHS

BOROUGH ACTION URGED. DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL. To urgo tho claims of Palmerston North swimmers for tho conversion of the municipal baths into a tepid pool, a largo deputation, including several ladies, waited on the Borough Council last evening. It was headed by Mr A. D. Campbell (president of the Manawatu Swimming Centre), who outlined the proposals advanced. Ho stated that not only the life-saving societies and swimming clubs, but also other athletic bodies were closely associated with the movement. When the baths wore first brought into existence, provision was mado in 1917 for them to receivo heating apparatus, but nothing had been dono since that dato, although Palmerston North had mado wonderful progress. The time had arrived when tho municipal baths should bo heated, not only to give greater satisfaction and cater for a general need, but to ensure safe bathing and to encourage swimming and life-saving, while other athletic bodies wanted to take advantage of tepid baths facilities. Owing to adverso weather conditions in spring, tho baths did not usually open until it was nearly December, and in the meantime tho public mado a habit of frequenting tho Manawatu River as a bathing place. Admittedly, that provided them with swimming pools, but it was only good swimmers who oould venture in without risk, and tho river was dangerous for mere bathers. A SHORT SEASON. Tho municipal baths, continued Mr Campbell, closed in March, and were virtually open for only three months in the year, whilo in tho dry season tho water oould not bo frequently changed—somotimes not for a fortnight. Consequently, revenue was lost and the baths closed down for another nine months without rendering any degree of useful service to the community. Swimmers realised that drastic improvements to the baths were necessary before apy distinguished swimmers could be invited to this centre, and an official of the New Zealand Swimming Association had informed the speaker that until then the prospects of obtaining a championship meeting were nil owing to the coldness of tho water and tho inadequate facilities. Consequently swimming suffered in popularity, and life-saving instruction, which was being included in tho school curriculum, was being hindered. Other branches of sport in Palmorston North were handicapped because there was no central club room in the town, and the alterations suggested to tho baths buildings would fill that requirement. Slipper baths wore a further necessity for which provision should be made. Championship swimming meetings, with their retinuo of followers, meant much revenue, and Palmerston North business men would participate in increased trade. Palmerston North was well situated as a centre for representative sports gatherings. It was stated by business people in other parts that the Dominion swimming championship brought £7OOO each year into the city in which they were held.

THE FINANCIAL SIDE. Dealing with the financial side of the scheme, Mr Campbell indicated that the revenue at present was £135 for a capital expenditure of £4350, and tho expenditure £139. Tho revenue was equivalent to 3 per cent, on capital borrowed at 5i per cent. That meant an nnnual lose of £220 for a service which was of no use to tho community excepting ior three months of the year. ■ln future tho council would probably bo faced with heavy expenditure on account of a subsidence of the south wall of the baths, which was cracked fnom top to bottom. It was proposed to extend the baths sixteen feet by 60 feet at that end, to provide a club-room, to put in an artesian bore, provide electrical heating to a temperature of 80 degrees and roof the baths completely over. The extension of tho wall and provision of a clubroom would cost £4OO, the artesian bore £IOO, electrical heating £l5O, and roofing of the baths £llsO, a total of £IBOO. No difficulty should then be experienced in obtaining a revenue of £2O weekly or £IO4O per annum. Those facts were submitted for deep consideration, and the deputation felt certain that personally councillors were in sympathy with all tho points of view expressed. QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS. Cr. Fitzherbert: Do you want the swimming pool itself extended ?—Mr Campbell: No, it is quite sufficient for championship purposes. Cr. Elliot: Would it suit your requirements if tho baths were roofed over and made tepid without enlargement?—We will be glad of anything, but the expenditure will have to be undertaken sooner or later. Cr. Clausen: Would you consider a proposition to lease the baths ?—The council may not have authority to do that. Wo could not undertake a lease.

The Mayor assured the deputation that all the councillors were in deep sympathy with its objects. It would hardly be correct to 6ay that nothing in the direction desired had been done, although it was true that the baths had not been made tepid. Some years ago a loan of £7OOO for the purpose was not sanctioned by tho ratepayers, and experts had advised that an electrical heating installation would bo costly. As a rule, the water was changed weekly. However, tho matter would be carefully considered in the light of tho weighty arguments brought forward. The matter might be deferred to the incoming council, and if it decided to submit tho question to the ratepayers, tho Mayor sincerely trusted that all other sporting bodies would support tho swimmers and ensuro that their objective was attained.

The matter was referred to the next meeting of tho public works committee to report and full information will bo obtained from tho engineer. HOKOWIIITU REQUEST. A deputation representative of tho Hokowhitu School Committee and resident of that portion of tho town, which waited upon the Borough Council last night to endeavour to sccuro a sito for baths for tho school, received a favourable hearing, and tho matter of granting a portion of the Hokowhitu Domain was referred to the reserves committee of the council for favourable consideration. The committee is to look into tho legal position in connection _ with tho grant, and, after making an inspection of tho proposed site, will report to tho council. Tho chairman of tho school committeo, Mr J. T. J. Ileatley, was tho first spokesman. Mr Ileatley said that their object was to try to secure a section of land for tho construction of swimming baths. They had found that the area of the school grounds would not allow them to construct baths tliero. The best available spot near the school was owned by the council, being part of the domain. They would be very grateful if tho council could see its way to give them tho section. Mr G. D. Pattle, a member of tho School Committee, endorsed the remarks of Mr Ileatley. Tho time had come when they would like to havo baths at tho school, and the only spot suitable was borough property. There was no room on tho present school ground, and he hoped that the council would give the matter favourable consideration. They had the idea of beautifying the surroundings of tho baths much more than was the case of other local baths. The pool would serve as a public utility for the Hokowhitu residents, and bo of benefit to the general community as well as to tho scholars. Mr Heatley produced for tho inspection of tho council a plan of the proposed baths, prepared by the Wanganui Education Board. . , „ In reply to a question by tho Mayor as to tho size, Mr Ileatley said that the size of the section asked for was 140 feet by 90 feet. Cr. Tremaine: What would the residents of Hokowhitu spend on it themSclvGS ? Mr Ileatley: About £IOOO. Tho Education Board grant a'subsidy of £2OO on all school Baths, independent of the size and cost, and we must find tho rest. Replying to a further question by tho Mayor, Mr Heatley said that the proposed site adjoined the school grounds, where tho plantation now was. The Mayor said that tho council would give tho matter sympathetic consideration. The council would go into tho legal position, and in due course would communicate its decision. On His Worship’s motion the matter was referred to the Reserves Committee, which will inspect the site and present a report to the council.