Proposed Salt Water Baths.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11458, 23 February 1899, Page 2

Proposed Salt Water Baths.

MEETING OF THOSE INTERESTED A meetino of those interested iv the erection of salt water baths at New Plvmoulh was held at Mr C. T. Mills' office on Wednesdayafternoon. Among those present were : Messrs A, Kyngdon (in the chair), W. Bewlev, W. Newman, N. K. MacDiarmid, E. Dockrill, S. W. Shaw, C. T. Mills, T. K. Skinner, F. Messenger, W. Courtney, Collis, and Dr. Walker.

The Chairman stated 7 that for some time past the need for proper facilities in New Plymouth for sea water bathing had made itself apparent, and a number of gentleman had interested themselves in the matter with a view of seeing if baths could be erected. The Esplanade Com* mittee had made a start, and the question oE i site had been fully discussed, and decided upon. The advantages of seawater batba could not be over-rated. Not only on the score of health were they almost a necessity, but excellent work could be done in teaching the young people how to swim. As matters were at present, they bad two sheds in a public part of the beach, but one of them — that reserved for ladies - waa seldom, if ever, used, as the fair sex did not altogether like the locality, and the building of suitable baths would therefore supply a long-felt want, The School Commissioners had been interviewed, and they seemed to show an inclination to meet the deputation in a fair spirit as regards 1 ha site. It was now suggested the Borough Council should be approached, as it was npanifestly that body's duty to assist in a matter of this nature. Mr Messenger and Mr Skinner were present, and would give the meeting any., information that was required. * - Mr T. K. Skinner said he had made careful investigations, and found that there would r e no difficulty about getting the water in the baths on the site selected - - - Mr Bewley: Before you go any further I would like to know where the site is. Mr Skinner replied that it was just at the bottom of Weymou-th-street. The site was four feet above high water mark, and it Was proposed to cut away about four feet of sand which would land them on a kind of copglomerate. This could be excavated and concrete placed all round. ' - - , Mr Messenger stated thai if I aths were erected, according to the plans prepared, the cost would be something like £1 ICO or £1200. That sum would allow the baths to be roofed in. Mr Bb'wley wanted to know" if tyles would nob be better ronnd the batb. *

Mr Messenger said they undoubtedly would if the money were available. - He added, in leply to a further question, that the cost of the bath if not roofed in would be about £700.

Mr Bewley asked what tbe estimated cost of running the baths wai.

'I he Chairman : "W ell, we thought it would be necessary to have a caretaker, and' it was suggested that some person should be placed in charge. One pennoner had offered to look after the place in return for accommodation. But tbe Committee thought a person should be in charge who could teach swimming. He added that it was proposed to hold a carnival at the end of the year, and representations might be made to the Council to do something in the matter. Mr Do'ckrilf: If yon look to the Council to do anything by that time, I think it will be quite impossible, because it necessarily follows that the money will have to come out of the loan, and the different things to which that has to be appropriated has to be decided by -public votev He added that a public meeting would be held on Monday next to decide matters in connection with the carnival. '

Mr Bewley said he did not think it would-be wise to mix the bath question up with carnival matters. If a moderate charge were imposed the baths could be made Belf-snpporting, and he certainly thought the Council should assist in the matter.

Mr Sha,w said there could be no doubt that sea water baths were very desirable in a place like New Plymouth, and he would suggest that a n quisition be got up and presented to the Council. - 1 ho Chairman (to Mr Dockrill) : If a syndicate were to construct the baths, cay, under the supervision of the Borough Council, would they be justified in guaranteeing to lake the baths over at the cost price ?

Mr Dockrill : Not until a vote of the public was taken.

, Dr. Walker said it was advisable some means should be provided for teaching young people how .to swim, and ihe erection of baths such as contemplated would be of great benefit to residents in the town. Mr Shaw : And the visicors ; do you think the baths would attract people from the country ?

Dr. Walker : Certainly. Mr Shaw remarked that business people did not seem to rea'ise the nece-Bity of ma<dng the town attractive to visitors. The Chairmm pointed out that a similar movement was on foot at Napitr, aud the Council was being asked to take the matter jn, hand.

After further dhcussioD,it was resolved, on Mr Mills' motion, sooonded by Dr. Walker, " That this meeting approves of the suggestion to erect public baths in New Plymouth, and thai a Committee, consisting of Mesrrs Kyngdon, Newman, Skinner, Messenger, and the mover be appointed for the purposa of canvassing lor support to petition the Council to take the matter in hand; and that such Committee be requested tp ascertain the probable support likely to be forthcoming in the form of annual subscribers." '1 he meeting thtn separate i.