BATHS FOR GREY LYNN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15331, 18 June 1913, Page 11

BATHS FOR GREY LYNN.

SITE AT COX'S CREEK.

PROPOSED BOAT HARBOUR.

COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME.

Gekt Lynn ranks among the thicklypopulated suburbs of Auckland, and the lack of public baths within a reasonable distance for tho convenience of residents in the district has been, from time to time, emphasised.

Recently one of the members of the Grey Lynn Council, Mr. T. L. Thompson, brought the matter of public baths for Grey Lynn before tho council. He suggested that the Minister for Marine should he approached, with the object of having the waterfront outside the breastwork at Cox's Creek vested in the council, for the purpose of public baths and a; boat harbour. The proposal has met with general support from the members of the council. At the request of tho council, Mr. J. H. Bradney, M.P. for City West, is to confer with the Minister for Marine and ask him to hand over the site suggested.

In the course of an interview yesterday, Mr. Thompson stated that the* site proposed for the baths would be most convenient for the residents of Grey Lynn, The area, known as the intake of Cox's Creek, was vested in the council as a public domain. This area was leased ,at present, but in the future it would bo utilised as a park for tho people. ; A scheme that would provide for public baths in close proximity to the proposed park should greatly add to the attractions of Grey Lynn, and at the same time provide for the needs of a growing and popular district. There were over 2000 children attending public schools within a short distance of Cox's Creek, and the area was also within a reasonable distance of the Sacred Heart College. If baths were erected, the means would bo close at hand for the rising generation to learn the most useful art of swimming. Numbers of people in the district owned yachts and other small craft, and it was therefore proposed that a boat harbour should be constructed near the breastwork for Grey Lynn. Here also a slip could be constructed for the hauling up of the boats during the winter months. A visit of inspection was paid to the breastwork, at the cud of last week, by Messrs. G. Baildon (Mayor), T. L. Thompson. Mnnro, Wilson ("borough engineer), and Warren (town clerk). The engineer was much impressed with the suitability of the* site proposed for tho baths. The breastwork at present outside the intake is undermined through long use. It is suggested by the engineer that repairs should not be made to the breastwork, but that a wall should be built further out, and the area inside reclaimed. Should the Marine Department view the application for the bath and boat harbour site favourably, the borough engineer will prepare plans for the scheme to submit to the Borough, Council.