TEPID OR COLD WATER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18664, 21 March 1924, Page 10

TEPID OR COLD WATER

HOBSON ST. BATHS SCHEME.

HEAVY OUTLAY NOT ADVISED

AN UNPROFITABLE SERVICE.

The problem «f heating the water in tftie Tepid Baths, consequent upon th« imminent dosing of the ]ioi:>son Street power station, was mentioned at} the City Council's meeting last evening.

Mr. T. Bloodw«rth asfctid whether the Parks Committee had come; to any arrangement in regard ,to the matter. With the taking over of the Hobscto Street station on April 1, the water was likely to be stone cold, he declared, , as the Power Board had intimated its intention of closing the station for everycjay purposes. Mr. J. Warnock, chairman of the Parks Committee, said the problem was giving the committee a good d»?al of concern. The city engineer had be«n in communication with suppliers of po/wer for heating purposes, and was assurod that the most modern system comprised a boiler and filtration plant, by which salt water could be heated by a coal-fuel boiler and filtered before entering the bath. ; Although this system would provide a very pure supply of warm water, the whole scheme, including buildings, pipes, and contingencies, would cost £4500 to inatal, with annual costs of operation amounting to £880. In view < f the fact that not a single public bath in Auckland was paying its way, Mr. Warnock continued, thecojamiitee did not feel justified in recommending the installation of such a system. Yet, as. far as 'he could see, unless the council was prepared to spend that money, the people would have to have cold • water for some time to come.

Mr. Bloodworth suggested that tho Power Board might be asked to* keep the engines at the Hobson Street station running in til the council could obtain a scheme of its own. It was possible that power might be- obtained from the board at a very cheap rate. The suggestion was noted, but the committee having nothing to recommend, the discussion was dropped.