BATHS FOR BROOKLYN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7444, 19 May 1911, Page 6

BATHS FOR BROOKLYN

REQUEST PROM HOUSEHOLDERS. A deputation of householders of Brook* lyn, header by Messrs Kobto and Wilson, ■waited on the City Council last night to make request for a ewimmmg bath in their district. The deputation was the outcome of two pub.lio meetings lately held at Brooklyn, at which resolutions have been canned in favour of having a bath built. Mr Eobie said that the ratepayers in his suburb felt that they were at a .disadvantage in regard to bathing _ facilities as compared with parts of the city better favoured by nature through nearness to tho foreshore, and better favoured, as he averred, by the council which had provided too other accommodation necessary. He pointed out that round about Christchurch there had been small baths attached to the schools for tho last twenty-five years, and there was no reason, to his mind, why Wellington should he behind hand. The cost would be considerable, but in view of the growing population in the suburb of Brooklyn, —there were 600 children at the State school—ihe urged that bathing, facilities ought not longer he denied to the residents. Apart from the special advantages asked for he suggested that the request merited consideration "on the big broad question” that Brooklyn deserved fair' treatment. The Mayor: We have always considered that it is a place that has had special consideration. Mr Robie: I have nearly lost my life slipping down on some of our streets. On one of our main thoroughfares it has taken three years to got grave] down. It used to be a skating rmk from the top to the bottom. Returning to the matter'of baths, he did not think the cost of a modest swimming bath such as was asked for would be more than £3OO or .£IOO. The Mayor: Mr Morton assures me it will' be from £IOOO to £ISOO, and in addition • there will be the cost of pumping. ‘Mr Robie could not contradict tho engineer's estimate, but even if it. cost £IOOO, the cost should not be a bar to tho people of Brooklyn being provided with facilities to have their children instructed in swimming. -Mr Wilson, supporting the request, said that the Christchurch, baths were of concrete, cue foot thick, 80ft by 40ft in area, and that the original cost of build- . ing them was £IOO each. , Mr Wilford informed tho deputation that a similar request had been received by the baths committee from' the Ratepayers’ Association of Brooklyn. Tho matter had been referred to the engineer for report, but he had not yet submitted his report as to site arid cost. As soon as his report was prepared the baths committee would present a report to the council, and the matter would bf considered.