NEW PUBLIC BATHS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7125, 15 December 1884, Page 3

NEW PUBLIC BATHS.

CITY BATHS,

The new city baths near Logan's Point wore opened by his Worship tho Mayor (Mr W. P. Street), on Saturday afternoon. The silo of the baths was decided upon after a great dual of consideration, no central position in which clear water could be got being obtainable, and the baths will be available to all thoao who were in tho habit of usicg the baths at- PeHchofc Bay jetty. Although the water in the baths wa3 not very clear, it was by no moans bad, and about 40 parsons seemed to enjoy owirnming.in it. The sheltered position ar.d the freedom from city drainage will be appreciated by bathers, as will also the neat and numerous dressing-rooms that have been constructed. A great depth of water has not been obtained, nor is it necessary; but when the mud has been taken from the baths, and the bottom covered with sand, as it is to be, tho water will be clear, and the depth quite sufficient, cs there will be Gft of water at ordinary full tides. The new baths are 132 ft in leugth, with a mean width of 144 ft, and contain about onethird more space than the old baths. The cost of the baths up to the present timo amounts to £541; and from their appearance, and tho character of the accommodation provided, tho money appears to have been economically expended. The baths were formally opened at 3 30 p.m. by the Mayor, and among the gentlemen present were —Councillors Carroll, Esther, and Scoullar (the Mayor-elect), and Messrs Ross, M.H.R., A. Gibson (town clerk), J. L. Gillies, and Dr Coughtrey.

Hia Worship, in opening the batha, said : Gentlemen, we have met today for the purposo of congratulating ourselves and the citizens that we have at laat been able to accomplish and sot at rest the question which has for so many years past troubled the Corporation in respect to the erection of city baths. At the mayoral election, when I had the honour of being returned a3 Mayor of this city, the several candidates ventilated the subject in a manner that probably itwas never before ventilated, and I feel proud that befora my exit from the municipal arena I am enabled to be present at the opening of batha for the citizens. Tha matter occupied for some months tha careful consideration of councillors. Difficulties of no ordinary character met us on all hands. First thoro was tho trouble about the site, and what was far more troublesome to the Council was tho question of funds for the purpose. The first Bite which presented itself as suitable was that at the foot of St. Andrew street, granted to the Council by the liberality of the Harbour Board, but tbo expenses of the undertaking was so appalling that it was decided to submit the matter to the decision of the citizens by means of a plebiscite. The estimate of the engineer for obtaining salt water was in round numbers £7000, and it was found upon taking a poll of the ratepayers that they would have none of it, and we were therefore obliged to turn pur attention to some other and more economical method of obtaining for the citizens a suitable bathing-ground. Without baing invidiou3, I may perhaps be permitted to say that, with other councillors. Or Robin is deserving of much praise for his persistent and consistent advocacy of the erection of baths in the city, and I may say that it was owing to his continued efforts that the matter was kept constantly before the Council. Much blame was levelled at the Council by ratepayers and the Press for the apparent apathy diaaed in proceeding with the construction of s, and it was charged against councillors that they were so materially democratic that they thought, that the "great unwashed" should be so in reality as well as by conventional usage in nomenclature, and that they could not realise the strong hygienic roasons which pointed to the desirability of baths being available in a more or less attractive form to the whole population. These charges have, however, now been fully rebutted, nnd the citizens will see that councillors have been actuated by the best and pureßt motives in erecting these baths for the city, with a view of saving them as much expense as possible, and to save any undue pressure on tho rate's. I think it right to mention that we are indebted to Mr Robert Hay for the suggestion that a site might be procured at Logan's Point, and aH showing that the Council aro willing at all times to receive suggestions from the ratepayers the site in question was selected, and tho Harbour Board acceded to our request for an exchange of the old site opposite Logan's Point, which Cr Barnes ' advocated so ably in tha Council 113 the j most suitable one for bathe. The site, although containing a larger area than the site we stand upon, was not suitable in many respscts, us it was exposed to north-west and south westerly I winds, which prevail in the harbour. Our present selection is secluded, sheltered, and suitable in all ways for the enjoyment of one of the healthiest and most invigorating of recreations. Finding that the citizens were not quite content with their baths, which have certainly the disadvantage of being at the most northern extremity of the city, the Council unanimously resolved to grant a aubeidy of £300 to tho Caversham Council, who, with commendable public spirit, bad commenced an excavation of the rocks at St. Clair. These baths are now ready for use, and will afford tho people of the city and Buburbs an opportunity of enjoying a "dip "in the pure ocean at a moderate co3t. In the meantime we must ba content with what has been accomplished so far. I still think,.however, that the people of Dunedin should have a more complete central bath, which would be available for those living in tbo centre of the city, on the high levels, and at the ecuth end of the town. It is something that we hiva finished tho present baths, which are now available for use this summer, and I trust they will prove popular and beneficial. In a city like this, with so much water frontage, it in almost imperative that our young people should have all reasonable and secure facilities afforded them of learning to swim. I should like to see all our publio schools have a swimming bath attached to it, and methods devised of teaching the pupils to be proficient in the art of swimming. Having said so mrch about the site and the utility of balhicg, a few remarks upon the subject of tha area and the cost may prove to be interesting. It will be observed that the structure is not palatial, and has been erected more with a view to retirement and comfort for bothers than for elegance; and considering the funds at our disposal I think you will be inclined to say with me that we have done the best we could. The total cost ofjthe baths to date has been £540—a very small sum for the work accomplished. The actual area-of the bite available for bathing purposes is 2110 square yards. The area of the old Pelichet Bay baths was only 1250 Bquare yards; so you will see that we have more than a third more spaco available for bathers than in the old baths. The charge' for admission will be made within the roach of all, and hours will be set apart on certain days for free admission, while two days in the week ■will, in all probability, be kept as ladies' daya. The Corporation will shortly bo in a position to afford every reasonable facility to the public. As I have no doubt some of the councillors may wish to say a word or two, I shall no longer take up your time; and now, on behalf of the City Council, declare the Corporation baths open to the public. Mr Ross (the chairman of the Harbour Board) expressed bis sense of satisfaction at seeing the vexed question of providing public baths settled. The gentlemen present then partook of some light refreshment, and the Mayor and councillors left to attend the opening of the baths at St. Clair.