The Proposed Swimming Baths

Southland Times, Issue 13059, 6 November 1894, Page 2

The Proposed Swimming Baths

There was only a moderate attendance at the public meeting held in Masters’ rooms yesterday evening for the purpose of further considering the construction of swimming baths, and to come to some definite conclusion anent the matter. Apologies were received from Alessrs J. Fisher and Miller for unavoidable absence, Mr J. Kingsland was voted to the chair and in opening gave a history of the movement from its incipient stage and referred to the action of the Borough Council with regard to the question. This body had deferred further consideration till Thursday next. The Press too had taken the matter up and there was a difference of opinion as regards a site and the kind of water to be used. So far as the site was concerned the committee was not bound to any particular one, and the same observations would apply to the kind of water to be used—fresh or salt. What they wanted was baths that would be acceptable and useful to the public. It was urged that fresh water was not desirable for the baths, but if they got the average water as it came from the tower they would have no cause to complain. The Council would sooner or later awake to a tense of ( their duty and make the water absolutely pure. If the Council, as the Swimming Baths Committee proposed, appointed a committee to confer with their own committee the difficulties could be discussed and some satisfactory termination arrived at. What they wanted was a site that would be most convenient to everyone. He then went on to speak of the utility of baths and their value to health.

The Secretary (Mr Croucher) moved—- “ That in view of the urgent need of public baths, and iu deference to the desire of the ratepayers and residents of Invercargill, as expressed in the public Press, this meeting resolves that the Borough Council be asked to give effect to the recommendations of the Gas, Water and Finance Committee and vote the sum of L 250 as a subsidy for ex. penditure in. the erection of swimming baths.”—Air W..Smith seconded thejnotion. —Afterjthe motion had been briefly discussed and the chairman had explained that the object in passing it was simply to strengthen the hands of the committee in their recommendations to the Council, it was carried unanimously. Mr W. H. Mathieson remarked that the public had responded most munificently to the solicitation for the forthcoming entertainment in aid of the baths. There would practically be no expense as everyone was assisting gratuitously. A concert committee was formed consisting of Messrs Alathieson, Stewart, Masters, Atkinson, Batchelor, Hatch, and Croucher, with power to add to their number. The meeting then adjourned to meet again after the Council had considered the matter, to receive their decision,