MUNICIPAL BATHS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1922, Page 2

MUNICIPAL BATHS.

RE-OPENING ABRANGEMENT3. A meeting was held at the Town ITall last evening to consider the offer of the Hokitika Borough Council with regard to the re-opening o fthc municipal swimming baths. There was a fair attendance present. Mr D. J. Evans was voied to tho chair, and Mr A. H. Lawn was secretary.

The chairman. explained the position in regard to the baths, stating there was now ample water available, attd the Borough Council had offered £6O Subsidy towards the cost of tbe impair work. The repairs to the bath itself were estimated to cost £l2O, and additional outlay would be necessary to complete all the repairs. Mr Lawn was now in communication with Mr Pankhurst, of Reefton, who had given the estimate, and if his services were available. with the funds in sight, no time should be lost in putting the work in , hand. 1 Mr Lawn reported that about £2o were now offered, and further donations were expected. Mr McLean had offered to give a. picture benefit about tlio 7th March. The latter wag accepted with tliniiks, aild Messrs FraSer alid Moore were appointed collectors to raise further doilntibnS;

Air Aldridge suggested a coiicert 'entertainment as a means to raise further funds. This was readily adopted, aiicl a sub-committee consisting of Miss Dalv, Mesdames Staveley and W. Wilson, Messrs Aldridge, Lawn and Gibbons appointed to carry out the entertainment about the 29th March. The committee will meet on Monday night bo draft a programme. It wils considered that the funds required could be raised, and Messrs Liiwil, HouStofi arid HickSoti Wei'e appointed a Works Committee, attd empowered to attend to tho repairs required, and failing Mr Pankhiirst being available to make such other arrangements as were necessary.

It was resolved to appreciate the offer of the Borough Council, and to suggest that the Council’s idea of an auxiliary pumping supply of wafer be carried out by the Council’s workmen, a pelton wheel to be installed. It was resolved to write to various bodies for donations or contributions, attd generally to invite subscriptions to the work iii liaild. .

Mr Bruce stressed tbe point that wheii tile baths Were iii order again, special concessions he giveii to all school children to use the swimming pool, Mr HOustoii Suggested that the appoiiitfnelit of a committee be deferred ti!j tlie works aid done, it might then he possible to arrange, for the baths to be managed by a business coittirilttec, which could lease to any swimming club which might be set up. The matter of n club .was deferred accordingly.

Various phases of the work were discusssd by Rev Purchas and others, and much interest and enthusiasm shown in the need for getting the baths rehabilitated a.s quickly as possible.