THE NEXT MOVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 195, 5 August 1940, Page 5

THE NEXT MOVE

OHOPE SWIMMING POOL > DEPUTATION FROM RESIDENTS The vexed question of the Ohope Swimming Pool is "once again to the fore. This time the Ohope Progress and Ratepayers' League has taken the matter up and intends sending a representative deputation to wait on the County Council at its next meeting. It is hoped to induce the council to reconsider its previous decision to refuse assistance, and by the combined arguments of residents to obtain its permission to build the pool on the original site on the waterfront. Most of those present were conver sant with the reasons for the coun oil's attitude. The secretary outlinec the pi ogress of events since the las meeting, and pointed out that tlie re cent legal opinion had all but quasi ed the entire project in the eyes ol the Council owing to the public risj involved. Mr Rand: Can't the risk be coverec by insurance? Mr Mahy: I have already taken the trouble to enquire into that. It can be covered for a few pounds. Mr McCready: The whole position is ridiculous. But if you are desirous of getting it through, don't ask the council for anything towards the cost. Mr Sullivan: They don't mind taking rates off an undedicated road. Mr McCready: Anything at all in the shape of •< .liability is likely to be a stumbling block. Mr G. Mahy: They don't mind liabilities in Rural Housing! Prevention of Government Grant In answer to a question Mr F. Mahy said lie had collected £200 to date. He estimated that the cost-of the bath would be in the vicinity of £350. The balance he hoped to make up by way of subsidy or further dona tions, but though he had had sympathetic letters from the Minister of Internal Affairs and officials of the New Zealand Life Saving Association, lie understood that the County's attitude prevented a Government grant from materialising. Mr McCready mentioned the alternative of taking a lease over the suggested site on a peppercorn rental, thus relieving the council of any responsibility whatsoever. Mr Sullivan: But the risks are imaginary. Mr McCready: If all local bodies adopted the same attitude there would be no swimmers at all in New Zealand. It was finally decided to afford the projected pool the full support of the League and endeavour to have it established. A delegation headed by Mr Sullivan was also appointed to wait on the council at its next meeting urging that favourable consideration be given the proposal and setting out what the League was prepared to do by way of co-operation.