The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 1874.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2042, 23 September 1874, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 1874.

"What a Dumber of subjects our City Councillors talk about, and if talking would do any good, whafc a lofc of good the Council would do. For years past they hare talked about a bath in which the " young idea could be taught how to" swim, but the citizens of Christchurch are as far from the possession of such a valuable adjunct to cleanliness and health as ever they were. Moreover, they appear likely to remain without it, unless fchey themselves take the matter in band, and either spur the Council into action, or act, independently of thafc body. The former course would seem fco be preferable, as the Council is under clause 363 of tbe Municipal Corporations Act, legally empowered to purchase, rent, or otherwise provide, either within the limits of, the borough, or at a reasonable distance therefrom, suitable land and buildings to be used for public baths, and to fit up such premises with all requisite and proper conveniences, and then to afford the use thereof to the inhabitants of the borough, subject to such by-laws as the Council may make, with or without" reasonable charges for the use of the baths. By including such a proviso in the Municipal Act the framers of that measure placed the establishment and maintenance of public baths among the duties of Municipal Councils. The Cbristohurch Council have not availed themselves of the large power given them in respect to the establishment of baths — in other words, they have neglected a duty. The present Mayor, we believe, has always, outside the Council, been a great advocate of the establishment of public baths, but what has he done within the Council in thafc behalf? Nothing, or afc any rate nothing that hcs led to any practical result. We shall, of course, be met with the "old, old Btory" about want of funds, unwillingness to impose further taxation on the ratepayers, &c, &c. Bufc in reply fco this, "we may ask why the Council has not taken steps to provide even temporary accommodation on the banks of the river — just sufficient to prevent bathers froai shocking the public sense of decency. They have, we know, a spare sum "not exceeding £300 a year," snd we do nofc think that they could expend it more to the benefit of the ratepayers, than in providing a bathing place in a fairly central position. We commend this idea to the earnest consideration of his Worship the Mayor, in the hope tbat his eminently practical mind willevolve something practical out of ifc.

Riccakton Road District. — A meeting of ratepayers will be held at; fche Riccarton Hotel, on Friday, Oct. 9, to elect a member to erve in the place of Mr Durey resigned.