DEPUTATION,

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2349, 12 October 1870, Page 2

DEPUTATION,

This afternoon, at one o’clock, his Worship the Mayor and Mr Walter waited upon his Honor the Superintendent, as a deputation from the City Council, to ask for a site for the erection of baths and wash-houses. The Mayor said that they had waited on his Honor to endeavor to induce the Government to grant a site for the purpose of erecting baths and wash-houses. His Honor was aware that the erection of baths was of such importance in a sanitary point of view, that the City Council had been indueed to appoint himself and Mr Walter to ask the Government to grant a suitable site. The only one available to the Corporation was at the Octagon, but if that were adopted, it would be necessary to buy water from the Water Works Company, but from enquiry it was found that the Company was not in a position to supply the Corporation with water at a cheap rate so long as they received a subsidy from the Government. The Corporation considered that if they could get a piece of ground near the Rattray street jetty, they need not depend upon the Water Works Company for supply, as the stream that supplied the urinal and water tanks would be available. The ground that the Corporation thought suitable was near the Railway Reserve. Mr Walter had called the attention of the Council to the subject, and was very anxious to have the plan carried into effect. Mr Walter said another great recommendation of the site being near the Jetty would be that the cost of building would be less. In every other place that he knew of the Water Companies supplied water to public baths and wash-houses free of charge ; but the Dunedin Water Works Company was in the position described ; they could not do so. The deputation were in a position to state that the public would take 19,000 to 20,000 baths annually. His Honor thought the community very much indebted to Mr Walter and the Corporation for taking action in the matter. It seemed to him a most extraordinary thing that the Water Works Company should throw any impediment in the way. _To supply the Baths would cost them nothing. Every one seemed to think the Octagon the most suitable site in every respect, as it was more central, and on that account preferable to any other site. Mr Walter said that in another point of view, as the railway terminus would be near, it would be convenient for those who arrived by train as well as to residents in the town. The Mayor said that viewing t'-.e question in the light that persons arriving by rail would find the position convenient, it was perhaps a better site than the Octagon. His Honor could gee no advantage through its being near the wharf. The site asked for was most valuable, and was expected to realise a large sum of money. Mr Walter pointed out that one advantage would be that of necessity a stream of fresh water would be constantly flowing through the pipes into the bay, which to that extent would be purified. The land the Corporation would like to have granted was where a quantity of timber stood. His Honor said that could not be granted, as it was reserved for railway purposes, and would be wanted. While there could be no doubt a more expensive site could not have been asked, in a question of this kind that should not bo so much looked at. So far as he himself was concerned, he should be willing to accede to the request if another site suitable could not be met with, and would suggest that it would be possible to get the Water Works Company to offer reasonable terms. The Mayor had male enquires, but there was no disposition on the part of the Company to meet the Corporation. If the Government looked upon the matter in a monetary light, the Corporation would be able to give a quid pro quo in the shape of earth for reclamation purposes. After some further conversation, His Honor promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Executive. * The deputation thanked his Honor and withdrew.