ST. CLAIR BATHS. TO THK EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7158, 24 January 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

ST. CLAIR BATHS. TO THK EDITOR.

Sib,—The St. Clair baths having become such a popular resort for bathers, I think a suggestion pro bono publico will not be out of placa, and though far from wishing to air a grievance, it is time some steps ware taken to prevent the gross abuse of this delightful bathing-placa. I allude to the annoyance to swimmers of encountering divers foreign matter introduced by juveniles, such aa pieceß of wood, decayed kelp, &c, which, floating about the baths, assail tha nostrils with anything but odoriferous perfumes. These objectionable " sundries " aro occasionally thrown into the water to encourage the übiquitous canine to take a dip in tha briny, but mostly out of sheer wantonness. Boys will be boys; but there are bounds to even the latitude of a Colonial youngster. Surely there is many a decent man out of employment who would be glad to act a3 caretaker. Mako a small charge for bathing trunks and towels, and I know a number of regular bathers who would only be too glad to take season tickets in order to ba so accommodated. I am sure a respectable man would make a fair living in this way during the summer and autumn months.

Might I also suggest to tha powers that be the advisability of haviug a few holes bored in the floor of the shed to let te wator through, aa at present, with the dirt brought in on the boots, it is always in a state of puddle, and very disagreeable to dress in.—l am, &c, A Constant Bather.

Dunedin, January 22.

[The baths are still scarcely decant, and certainly far from comfortable. The floor of the shad'is always dirty, and tho shed is far too email. A caretaker is badly wanted, and it would be worth while to erect soma saparate huts and screen the place off, so that ladies might usa the baths in the mornings. It is a pity that so good a bath should offer such poor accommodation. —Ed. O. D. T.]