THE BATHS MUDDLE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 21 January 1926, Page 6

THE BATHS MUDDLE

(To (lie Editor.)

Sir,—l was greatly astonished to read m your report of the Council meeting of Or.' Neale’s opinion tiiat the population, of Nelson did not warrant tepid baths. What tho population has to do with it I can't imagine; but a moments considoraliun (flight to convince* any one that the only chance of making Hie baths a paving proposition is to have them heated for at least eight months in the year. Let me put it to Cr. Neale this way. .Supposing he had a family of live children. ami every’ morning in summer as he was leaving for his. office his children hit him up for 2,6 to go a-swiinming in the public baths. What would he sav? In all probability: "Nonsense, if you wish jo swim go to Denny s. Again, it in winter they asked to lie allowed to go to the baths when the ice-cold water from the Maitai was flowing through them. What would he say? Again: “Nonsense.” The youthful Nelsonian loves the water —hut that lie only loves II tepid anyone who frequents the Maitai knows. When the sun shines the pools are full of swimmers, but let the sun he obscured and they arc deserted. That, the baths would he patronised by our summer visitors whose modestv prevents them bathing under our primitive conditions 1 will admit, hut it is not for them that it is proposed to build the baths. 'I hat baths are desired by the electors the referendum proved, not only in order that adults might indulge in their pastime throughoili I lie year hut also that children might be taught swimming in safety by their teachers. Indeed, if you remember, if was this latter consideration which decided the approval of the proposal. Now. sir, for how mitn.v weeks in the year could indicated baths he used for this purpose? 'I welve weeks ni, the outside ■ three weeks before the Christmas holidays and nine weeks after. For the rest of the year no lonelier would dare take a class of children to learn to swim in indicated water. 1 am. etc.. JOHN FRASER.