MUNICIPAL BATH SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22740, 28 May 1937, Page 14

MUNICIPAL BATH SCHEME

OTAHUHU REJECTS PROPOSAL MORE URGENT REQUIREMENTS Proposals for the provision of a municipal swimming bath at Oiahuhu were rejected at a meeting of ratepayers last night. There was an attendance which almost filled the Otabuhu Public Hall. The Mayor, Mr. C. It. Petrie, M.P., who presided, said ho had convened t.Le meeting to give ratepayers an opportunity to discuss a scheme which had been presented to him recently by a large representative deputation. The deputation had informed him that there was a need for a modern swimming bath, and that large support would be found for it in the community. The Borough Council *had decided to ascertain the opinions of ratepayers before moving in the project. He invited the ratepayers not to consider the proposals from a personal point of view, but. from the community need aspect. "Jf we take up the scheme I would favour the provision of a building with tepid bath that could be used the whole year round," continued the Mayor, who said an opon-air pool would have" many disadvantages. Such a scheme would cost about £BOOO, and a rate of id in the pound would have to be struck to provide the £4OO interest and sinking fund on a loan. R io the average ratepayer the cost would be between Is 7d and 2s 4d a year. An}' surplus from running the bath would be required to meet depreciation costs. There would be ho need to raise loans for other public services, said Mr. Petrie, as under the council's policy all roads and footpaths were being reformed from revenue. The only likelv call for further loan expenditure would be through the institution of the metropolitan drainage scheme. Mr. J. P. John said that £BOOO could be spent more profitably on footpaths and developing really essential services.

Several speakers urged consideration of the scheme for the benefit of tin schoolchildren, it being stated that not more than 20 per cent of the 1500 in the district schools coukl swim.

A motion urging the Borough Council to take steps to provide an up-to-date swimming bath at an early date was ultimately defeated on the voices