THE CITY BATHS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 April 1929, Page 12

THE CITY BATHS.

HOBSON STREET BUILDING.

QUESTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

A report stating that the municipal baths at Hobson Street, Shelly Beach and Farnell last year had the patronage of 48.068 men, 30.692 women and 50,801 children, and produced a revenue of £2330, was submitted to the Auckland City Council last evening. The council also had before it suggestions for improvement of the Hobson Street baths obtained at the request of Mr. E. J. Phelan, who had asked for a report on the advisability of demolishing the premises used by the baths supeiintendent, and the provision of tea rooms and more accommodation for spectators. The late city engineer, Mr. W. E. Bush, reported that whatever rearrangement was made, provision should be made for a caretaker to live on the premises. It would be impossible to provide any more accommodation for spectators, owing'to the size of the pool and its proximity to the walls of the building. Mr. Bush considered the most urgent requirement at present was an extension of the slipper bath accommodation. The salt-water service and the tanks and girders supporting them were in such a state of decay that they should be renewed immediately in concrete, the cost of this work, together with other minor additional services, being £535. The front cf the baths could have been made a two-storeyed structure when the baths were being built, at an additional about £IOOO, but it would now cost £2720 to do the work, as it would the dismantling and, renewal of the roof. Such a structuro would provide caretakers' quarters, a refreshment room and a better layout for the slipper baths. The report was received.