THE CITY BATHS QUESTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1249, 6 February 1896, Page 39

THE CITY BATHS QUESTION.

A PLEBISCITE TO BE TAKEN. Last week the vexed question of the proposed city baths again came before the City Council, several motions on the matter having been duly notified beforehand. First of all, Councillor Anderson moved, "That tenders be called for the immediate erection of the 1 horndon baths at the Esplanade, and so soon as terms of lease between the Harbour Board and the City Council are arranged, tenders be called for the erection of the Te Aro salt water baths." He said the Council had been considering this matter for 20 months past, and had not settled it yet. It was high time that something were done. Councillor Willeston seconded the motion. Ho thought-the delay in settling this question was really deplorable. Councillor Devine moved as an amendment, " That as soon as terms of lease were arranged as between the Government, the Harbour Board and the City Council, tenders be called simultaneously for both the Thorndon and Te Aro baths." The Mayor said no business man would spend a threepenny bit upon such a lease as was offered by the Government. Councillor Anderson accused the Mayor of making use of this question for political purposes. Councillor Eraser protested against the introduction of personalities. On the suggestion of Councillor Harris, Councillor Auderson amended his motion by adding the words " as soon as an approved lease be obtained from the Government." Councillor Deviue's amendment was then put and carried. Councillor Higgmbottom next moved, " That the question of the erection of one good central bath or one bath at each end of the city be submitted to a public meeting of the ratepayers." The motion was seconded by Councillor Fraser. Several of the Councillors having expressed their views, The Mayor moved, and Councillor Tatum seconded the addition to Councillor Higginbottom's motion, of the words " and that a plebiscite of the ratepayers be taken upon the question." This amendment was carried on division by 9 to 3, those voting for it being -.—The Mayor and Councillors Fraser, Tatum, Higginbottom, Myers, Tanner, Willeston, Barber and Smith. Councillors Harris, Myers and Anderson voted against it. The motion as amended was then carried on the casting vote of the Mayor, Councillors Tanner, Higginbottom, Fraser, Smith and Tatum voting with him. The decision to refer the question to a plebiscite of the ratepayers therefore governs Councillor Deviue's amendment, which was previously carried.