BATHS CLOSED IN WINTER

Southland Times, Issue 23825, 24 May 1939, Page 9

BATHS CLOSED IN WINTER

PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS SEASON TO END NEXT WEEK A decision to close the tepid baths during the months of June, July ana August was made by the Invercargill City Council last night on the recommendation of the Baths Committee. The proposal was made at the previous meeting by Cr A. W. Jones, chairman of the committee. An amendment that the baths be closed for two months only was lost. The Baths Committee reported that the Southland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association had submitted a letter setting out a number of reasons why the baths should not be closed for a longer period. This letter was supported by a deputation of three representatives of the centre and these speakers emphasized the importance of the teaching of swimming to the children and the essential instruction in the saving of 1 life. The committee recommended that the baths be closed for the months of June, July and August, 1939; that the. wages account be adjusted to the extent that the staff was used in other departments, and that the matter be reconsidered this time next year. A report by the city engineer (Mr F. M. Corkill) stated that during 10 years the average takings at the baths for the winter months had been as follows:—May, £2B/7/9; June, £ll/3/8; August, £32/19/4; September, £46/18/11. The operating costs were constant at £l2l a month. It was therefore apparent that, while the baths never earned their cost, during the middle of the winter they were very much worse, and did not pay even the cost of coal. He suggested that the baths be closed from May 1 to August 31. They were, in any case, closed in July for overhaul. The staff could be found employment elsewhere in the council’s work.

ESTIMATED SAVINGS “The estimated saving by closing as suggested, allowing for the fact of staff annual holidays being taken in that period in any event, is £270,” stated the report. “The only real difficulty is in the training of school children. The proposed restricted . months of opening would make it difficult, if not impossible, to give the same period of instruction, but it seems to me that, the cost of giving the present service is too high. Season tickets would be little affected. There are about 57 annual tickets, and quarterly ticket holders would probably not be buying tickets for the winter period in any case.” The baths superintendent (Mr H. S. Baker) reported that there were 157 season tickets on issue, of which 45 of these ran out by May 31. If the baths were closed, all unexpired season tickets would have to be extended equal to the period closed. Small returns did not always denote small attendances. From May 1 to May 6 the takings were £5/11/- and the attendances amounted to 956. Out of this total 558 came outside of school class hours. Two or three classes did not attend because of illness. If the baths must be closed for three months, it

would be better to close down in June, July and August in preference to May, as some schools had not completed

their term classes, and the new term did not start till September for schools attending the 'baths. The baths staff could do more of the annual overhaul.

In the past outside labour had been brought in, because of lack of time. Although the cost of everything had gone up, no extra charges had been made in the department. He did not favour an increase in single admissions or in concession tickets. Season tickets only favoured those who could afford to purchase them, and to yearly holders their admission costs them three farthings as against the 6d required by others not so well off. With the increased price of coal, this warranted an increase in the price of season tickets. If the baths returns were similar in the winter as in summer, the annual takings would only amount to £1248 based on the average returns of the highest month of the year. In his annual report the superintendent reported that in spite of unfavourable weather during the summer holidays and curtailed swimming hours during the New Zealand swimming championships, the returns for the year totalled £B7l/8/10 compared with £779/14/9 in the previous year and only £l/5/- below the 1934/35 record. The total admissions to the baths for the year were 92,790 which was over 11,000 more than the previous record.

SWIMMING ADMINISTRATION In moving that the baths be closed for three months, Cr Jones said he wished to take the opportunity of paying a tribute to the service given by the men interested in swimming in Southland. They were doing excellent work.

Cr J. R. Martin said he thought the period suggested for closing the baths was too long. Swimmers equid relax training for two months, but for firstgrade swimmers any longer period would be detrimental. He knew of one swimmer who was going to Dunedin once a week to keep up his training if the baths were closed for three months. He moved an amendment that the baths be closed for two months instead of three months. Cr A. Scott seconded the amendment. The Mayor (Mr J. R. Hanan) said the council was in a difficult position. It was faced with an increased hospital rate and an increased Fire Board rate. Councillors had expressed the opinion that more money should be spent on the streets of the city. This could be done by increasing the council’s rate, but the councillors thought that rather than do this the committees could look round and see where money could be saved without impairing any of the services the council was giving. The money saved by closing the baths for three months would ultimately be diverted to street work. Cr G. C. Broughton said the council did not want to keep the baths open for a few champions, pleasing though it was to have the champions. The baths were primarily for children and learners.

Cr A. Wachner said the baths were being penalized to take the money for other works. He thought the Reserves Committee could give another £5OOO.

Cr E. J. McLauchlan said that if another £5OOO was taken from the Reserves Department, it would have no money at all. The amendment was lost, and the motion to close the baths for three months was carried. INCREASED CHARGES The committee also recommended increases in the charge for season tickets. The charges recommended were as follows, the previous rate being given in parentheses:—Annual: men £l/10/(£l/1/-); women £l/1/- (17/6); youths and girls £1 (17/6); children 10/6 (10/-). Half-yearly: men £1 (12/6); women 15/- (10/-); youths and girls 12/6 (10/-); children 6/6 (6/-). Quarterly: men 12/6 (7/6); women 9/(7/6); youths and girls 8/6 (6/-); children 4/6 (4/-). The increases were adopted.