PARNELL BATHS CLOSED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19893, 12 March 1928, Page 10

PARNELL BATHS CLOSED.

SUDDEN ORDER ISSUED.

REPORTS."

HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S ACTION.

RETICENCE OF CITY COUNCIL. Rumours that have recently been current to the effect that the condition of the Parnell baths was dangerous to the health of people using them received striking confirmation in the abrupt announcement by advertisement on Saturday morning that the baths would be closed until further notice. This followed as a result of an investigation by the officers .of the. Health Department in Auckland, who reported the baths were in a dirty state, the water impure, the intake in an unsatisfactory condition and the towels not boiled or washed. Cases had been reported of bathers suffering from ear and nose trouble. . Dr. Herbert Chesson, medical officer of health in Auckland, when approached yesterday expressed satisfaction at the prompt action taken by the City Council but was reluctant to make any statement in his official capacity.

It is understood the trouble has been largely brought about by tho fact that the intake-pipe, which formerly extended well out from the shore, now draws its supply from comparatively stagnant water inside the embankment.

Parks Committee's Inspection. Explanation of the decision to closo the baths was sought on Saturday morning from the town clerk, Mr. J. S. Brigham, who issued the following statement:— "Owing to unsatisfactory reports having been received concerning the Parnell baths the Parks Committee has decided to go fully into the matters connected with the baths and has closed the Parnell baths accordingly. They will not he open to the public until the committee is assured that everything is satisfactory." When further information was sought. Mr. Brigham stated ho was not authorised to say anything as to tho nature of the "unsatisfactory reports" received. These reports came from various sources, including the general public. The Parks Committee had inspected the baths that morning ond was going fully into the matter prior to considering it at a meeting to-morrow. Mr. Brigham referred the Herald representative for information to Mr. J. B. Paterson, chairman of the Parks Committee, and Mr. A. J. Entrican, the deputy-mayor,

"Nothing Wrong with Baths." When Mr. Paterson was approached on Friday about the Parnell baths he resented the suggestion that anything was wrong and promptly referred the questioner to the town clork as "the proper channel" for all information. He said he was too loyal to his committee to give out anything, but lie volunteered the statement that he knew of nothing wrong with the Parnell baths. They were emptied three times a week and cleaned every week. Some definite information on the subject was obtained on Saturday from Mr. A. J. Entrican, who remarked that the reporter should have gone to Mr, J. B. Paterson. Mr. Entrican said there had been some trouble lately with the quality of the water, doubtless because the embankment erected by the Public Works Department had interfered with the free inflow and outflow of the tides. The baths were supplied from the harbour by a pipa leading right through underneath the embankment to the open water 3 but all the same ho thought some water came into the baths from the enclosed tidal basin surrounding them. Some users of the baths had been complaining of throat troubles and it seemed the water was not as good as it was before- the embankment was made. The Parks Committee was making full investigations and having samples taken for analysis o': water in the baths and water immediately outside.

Warning to Grammar School. i '' Whatever the Parks Committee may know of the matter it is a fact that children and parents and some medical men have lately been attributing gastric and throat troubles to the baths. Mr. H. J. D. Mahon, acting-headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, received so many complaints from parents, including a doctor who considered he and his boys had contracted gastric trouble at the Parfcall baths, that more than a, week ago he issued a warning to the whole school that it would be advisable to avoid the baths altogether. Many notes from parents excusing boys on the ground of sickness contained reference to the baths.