IMPROVING THE BATHS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1925, Page 6

IMPROVING THE BATHS.

QUESTION OF FINANCE. A SUBSIDY SOUGHT. Further consideration of the scheme for improving the accommodation at the New Plymouth municipal swimming baths by the expenditure of £BOO was given at a meeting of representatives of the Taranaki Head Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association at New Plymouth last night. The conditions as laid down by the borough council were outlined, and after careful consideration the meeting decided to notify the council that the association did not think it was possible to raise the money under the scheme proEed unless an assurance was by council that a subsidy of not less n £4O per annum would be granted the council during its term of office. Mr. W. H. presided, and others present were:—Misses Blair, Ullmer, Messrs F. J. Eggleton, R. G. Howell, K. Kirk, R. Berge, A. R. Standish and the secretary (Mr. F. J. Shearer). An apolbgy for absence was received from Mr. G. F. Bertrand. Mr. Moyes reported on the results of the deputation which waited on the borough council recently. He said that the position to be faced at present was (Whether the £BOO should be raised, and if so what steps were to be taken in this direction. Another matter fofr consideration was whether the Centre was Justified in asking the public to give Jheir support to such a scheme. If the council would guarantee to grant a subsidy each year to enable the Centre to meet the interest without difficulty, there would then be no cause for Worry, but in the event of the council not being prepared to give any such assistance a totally different aspect was presented, added Mr. Moyes. On figures being supplied by the secretary in regard to the nett takings of the carnivals held by the association, Mr. Standish said he considered that it would not be a fair thing to ask the public to take up debentures unless the Centre could be sure of netting £l5O in gate takings. This amount would cover the interest and jinking fund, and wipe Out the £BOO in seven years. The opinion was expressed by the secretary that taking past seasons into consideration, this amount could not be expected. It was a big hurdle for a young association to take on.