THE TEPID BATHS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18703, 8 May 1924, Page 10

THE TEPID BATHS.

HEATING PLAN APPROVED.

USE OF POWER BOILER.

CARNIVAL CROWDS LIMITED.

The heating of the Hobson Street tepid Laths with water supplied from one of the boilers at the Hobson Street power station should be an accomplished fact within the next few days, the Parks Committee Of the City Council having decided to adopt this method in preference to installing a separate system, which was estimated to coßt £2000. The method now accepted was suggested to the council by Mr. R. Davis, who undertook to operate the system provided ;he could make use of one of the boilers at the station. - Reporting on this scheme at the last meeting of the council, the city engineer, Mr. W. E. Bush, said he estimated the capital expenditure to alter the steam pipe, purchasing feed pump (which if the scheme did not succeed would be worth nearly its cost), labour, etc. at £80, and that the working charges would be wages, coal, telephone, etc., about £3 6s per day, so that if the result was a, failure thdre would be no great loss. Discussing the decision of the committee yesterday the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, said that the work would be put in hand forthwith. If it proved a success the system would be maintained, but if not it would be necessary for the. council to incur considerable capital expenditure to instal a satisfactory heating plant. Another matter considered by the committee in connection with the baths was the decision of the Auckland Fire Board to restrict the attendance of spectators at swimming carnivals in the tepid baths to 650. Hitherto gatherings of up to .1000 persons have been permitted, but as it was reported that, there had been overcrowding and congestion the committee decided to approve of the board's proposal. This will mean that the baths will be brought under the by-laws and licensed for the number of spectators approved by the Fire Board.