BATHS PROPOSAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 22 January 1926, Page 4

BATHS PROPOSAL

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR The Mavor (Mr \Y. Lock) has hand ed to us for publication the appended statement presented by him to a eotn-j mince meeting ol I lie City Council | last evening:— I have decided for the information of councillors, and the public. to make some comment and afford some information in connection with the municipal swimming baths, for which a loan ol £BBOO has been sanctioned by the ratepayers by their direct vote, and also to al'lord information in connection with the progress made in connection with oilier authorised loans for special public purposes. I think that the councillors fully realise that it is their duty to carry out as expeditiously and efficiently as possible the expressed wishes of the ratepayers; but for reasons often beyond Ihe control of councillors delays occur. Regarding the baths, from information now available, it appears that it will be quite impossible to erect modern tepid baths and properly equip them for the amount of the loan raised, viz., £BBOO. The information obtained by the Council as to the cost of baths in other places was nut altogether reliable, or at all events not complete : for instance the cost of the tepid baths in Christchurcb was given at £9692, but it was not stated that this price did not include the cost of the heating appliances, which would a.iiiouut to a fairly large sum, and these baths were constructed prior to the war. The same applies to the Murphy Street baths, Wellington. In this case flic tost was given 'as £9548. but it was not .staled that these baths had no roof, and no heating apparatus. Regarding the Unit baths these will not be completed for some months. Kurt Iter, the cost i,f erection will be £SS4B. They will not be roofed and no heating apparatus or living quarters will be provided. I'Toni t'he information received from various parts of New Zealand the amount sub mitteil to the ratepayers seemed to be a reasonable one. As soon as il was found that the sum borrowed was quite inadequate to provide a standard size up-to-date baths, with living quarters, sufficient accommodation for spectators at carnivals, etc., also a special swimming pool for children, the Engineer commenced a new set of plans, in which the width of the pool would be reduced fruni 50 to 35 feet, effect considerable savings in the roof and seating accommodation: in fact, to endeavour to alter them in such a, manner that ihe Council could construct them within the amount of the loan and the baths to compare favourably with other baths in the Dominion at a similar cost. The Engineer disclaims responsibility for the bath proposals or for the delay in carrying tliem out. The proposals were drawn up by a joint committee of the Council and the Swimming Club. The committee insisted on a bath 50 by 100 feet, with provision for roof, living quarters, and heating appliances. The Engineer further states that there was no delay on his part- that could have been avoided; other loan works such as drainage and water extension had to be gone on with, and the current work of the Council had to have some attention. I have' asked hint to present his new or modified plans this evening, and as soon as the Council comes to a decision on the matter the work will be pushed on as speedily as possible. It seems clear that the water will have to be pumped into the baths, though at one time it was confidently expected it could be supplied by gravitation. If this had been known for certain at the (Hitset. it might have influenced councillors in tlie choice of a site, and a more central one might have been chosen. It' is suggested that the soil from the excavations should be removed to King's Acre and charged to the Reserves Loan, and if possible the drainage and water also. The Engineer has obtained for me a schedule showing in detail the various works included in the loan schedules, the amounts authorised for each. the amounts expended to date on each portion of the work, and the balances available for expenditure. Some of the works will cost more, and ethers less, than the estimated allocations. Nile Street Bridge redecking will cost considerably more than the estimate, as extra girders had to be put in. and the reinforcements have not worked in as well as anticipated. It appears to be an absolutely permanent job. Briefly stated the position of loan monies for various works are given as under (in addition, full details as to the expenditure on various streets. etc., have been supplied by the Engineer and attached hereto):'-

Amount authorised for expenditure on the extension of tarred streets was £10,020. £2582 has been expended, the balance available being £7437. Extension of tarred paths.—Amount allocated £1096, expended £2lB/15/-. balance available £877/4/-. Construction (new) streets and paths. Amount allocated £B3l, expended £lls/13/-. Balance to be expended £715/7/-. Drainage (immediately necessary).— Amount allocated £5285, expended £l4ll/13/-. Balance available £3b/3'6 -. Drainage required in the near future. Amount allocated £9715. expended .£9ll/8/-. Available CXSIW/l ]/-. "Reserves loan.—Amount allocated £5700. expended £1378/14/. .Available £4321 5-. Abbatoir.—Amount allocated £3OO. expended £583 6-.