THE REJECTED LOAN PROPOSALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1928, Page 6

THE REJECTED LOAN PROPOSALS.

The proposal to build baths at Point Chevalier went before the ratepayers heavily handicapped, and it is not surprising that it was rejected. Possibly this issue affected the other, for there are people who cannot completely dissociate things that are different but are coupled by circumstance. General dissatisfaction with the City Council probably had something to do with the result; some ratepayers took up the attitude that there would be an opportunity in six months' time to elect a new Council, and that in the meantime they would not give the Council any more money to spend. So far as Point Chevalier is concerned, no doubt private enterprise will now be allowed to proceed, but the outlook for the Parnell and Shelly Beach baths is really serious. Last season they were a menace to health, and it is difficult to see how their condition can be improved by any other method than that which the ratepayers have rejected. It is suggested that the better way is to make the harbour itself pure. This is indeed a large order. Even if the discharge of sewage into the Waitemata were stopped—and it may be asked what connection there' is between the Orakei outfall and the Shelly Beach baths —there would be contamination by the ever-increasing body of shipping to contend with. Moreover, if the policy of sewage disposal is revised, nothing definite can be done for a long while, and in the meanwhile what is Auckland going to do for waterfront baths ?