BATHS FOR DIXIELAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19799, 21 November 1927, Page 11

BATHS FOR DIXIELAND.

COMMITTEE'S INQUIRY. i QUESTION OF MORALITY. * CABARET AND THE SURF. PROPOSED SITE OPPOSED. The question of possible immorality was a prominent feature of the evidence given on Saturday at the inquiry whether Dixieland, Limited, should be given a permit to build baths at Point Chevalier. After 1 several objectors to the proposal had been heard, the inquiry was adjourned until ten o'clock this morning, and it is likely the proceedings will be. continued tomorrow. The committee comprises Mr. G. C. Godfrey, secretary to the Marine Department, Wellington, and Mr. L. B. Campbell, district engineer of Public Works, Auckland. Mr. E. H. Northcroft appears for Dixieland, Limited, and Mr. J. Stanton for the City Council. Mr. J. Donald, a member of the Parka Committee of the City Council, said both the committee and the council opposed the erection of baths in the position proposed.' The Point Chevalier Cruising Club had a pavilion where the baths would go, and the club's finishing line would be interfered with. That was not fair. Witness said he was not aware that in discussing sites with Dr. Rayner, on behalf of Dixieland! Limited, the Parks Committee of the City Council had suggested, as an alternative, that the baths should be erected on the old site, but a little further out from the cliff. Mr. Northcroft: It seems to me it is Dixieland that is being shot at. Is that so ? Witness: No. Is it because there will be a cabaret there I—Absolutely. Bathing and a Cabaret. Mr. Donald said he did not think public bathing, with a cabaret alongside, was conducive to morality. He considered the morals of young ladies would be endangered. He thought that when there was a cabaret, there should be a cabaret alone. He did not think baths and a cabaret should go together. Mr. Northcroft; Is there anything more objectionable in a young couple wandering into the gardens of their hostess during a dance than in going for a batha in public and under strong lights! Witness: I say yes. Your home is at the seaside?— Yes. If you had a dance at your place wonld you object to young couples wandering out on to the foreshore?— No. Would you object to them bathing there ?—No. . And there wc.uld be no lights ? Witness said he had not been to a cabaret in Auckland for a number of years, and any criticism of Dixieland would bo based on what had come to his knowledge. Mr. Northcroft: Are you aware the City Council once permitted night bathing at Point Resolution? Witness: But there were no lights there. Mr. Northcroft: That is just the point. And the only reason it was stopped was because the caretaker would not undertake the responsibility of people bathing in the dark. Preservation of Beach. | # ■ V At this stage Mr. Godfrey said he would like the explanation concerning the ' meeting of representatives of the City Council and Dr. Rayner cleared op. It seemed to him that the Mayor was the only person who could clear it up. Mr. Stanton said the final decision of the City Council was the important thing. / He understood discussion took place at the request of Dixieland, Limited. Mr. Norihcroft: Not at all. Dixieland was invited to attend- I understand the chairman of the Parks Committee had promoted the discussion and the Mayor was present. Mr. E. J. Phelan, the last member of the City Council called, said his objection was not based on the grounds of , possible immorality. He firmly believed Point Chevalier Beach should bo pro- . served for this generation and future ' generations.. He understood Dr. Rayner was communicated with from the Town Hall to attend a discussion. In reply to Mr. Northcroft, witness . said he was sure the City Council wonld seek an injunction if Dixieland were granted a permit for batiks further out from the old site. Schoolmaster's Viewpoint. In reply to Mr. Godfrey, Mt. Stanton said he was' aware the whole of Point Chevalier Beach was outside the jurisdiction of the City Council. If the council wished to erect baths there, they would have to obtain a permit from the Marine Department. Mr. A. M. Laing, first assistantmaster at the Point Chevalier School, said the beach should come first and the baths second. Witness referred to a recent Court case, as the result of which the licence of Dixieland had been suspended for a period, adding this was evidence that baths might not be properly conducted. He believed any baths erected should be under the control of the City Council. Mr. S. G. Crookbain, secretary of the Point Chevalier School Committee, oaid if an obstruction was put up' on the beach ihe tendency would be for the sand to silt up. He was not officially representing the committee. Mr. Godfrey: The general trend of the evidence so far is thai; the presence ol baths will tend to scour out the sand? Witness: I am basing my opinion on what has happened at Shelly Beach. Evidence was also given by Mr. F. Deighton, on behalf of the Point Chevalier Sailing Club, who said the club was strongly op]X>sed to the erection of batha on the grounds that the beach would be spoiled and facilities for boating endangered. The inquiry was then adjourned until 10 o'clock this morning.