PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2631, 11 September 1923, Page 3

PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS.

At last night’s Borough Council meeting a letter was received from the Foxton Harbour Board granting the Council the lease of a strip of land 120 ft. long (between the railway terminus and the boating shed) on which it is proposed to erect a swimning bath, at the pleasure of the Board, and at a yearly rental of 10/6. The Mayor moved “that the offer of the Harbour Board to lease section on foreshore for the purpose of constructing swimming baths be accepted and that Mr R. Edwards be engaged as engineer at a commission of 5 per cent., viz. 2A per cent, on approved plans and 21 per cent supervision. Revised plans and estimates to be submitted to the next meeting of the Council, said commission to be payable on actual completion of baths.” This motion was seconded by Cr. Bryant.

The Mayor, in support of the motion, said that tbo Council had plans nlrpady prepared for baths, 75ft. x 25ft. The river site in his opinion, was the best. The site adjacent to the school would prove too costly, as an outlet pipe would have to bo carried to the river for the outflow and no subsidy would be forthcoming from the Education Board unless I lie baths were actually on school ground. Another point was that at present the school needed all its ground as a playing area. The river site was central to both schools. It was proposed to utilise the river also for filling the baths if desirable. This would lower the cost of filling the baths. It was proposed to put down an artesian well for the purpose of filling the baths and to mix this water with the river water for temperature.

Cr. MeMurray said he would move an amendment that estimates be obtained on the eost for erection of baths in Easton Park. In outlining his contention, be said that Easton Park was well suited for

swimming baths. Parents could visit the park while their children used the baths and they would be at ease as In their safety, which would not be so if the baths were at the riverside. The outlet to the baths could be run into Awahou drain. Cr. Smith supported this amendment. He said that the Council did not want to be too hasty in this matter. He would like to see the matter referred to a sub.-commit-tee. He was in favour of the baths being in Easton Park. The Mayor said that the cost of pumping the water on the Easton Park site would be considerable.

Cr. Adams said that the river water was not fit to use for the baths. After a considerable amount of discussion the amendment was put and lost, Crs. MeMurray and Adams alone voting for it. The motion was then put am! carried, Crs. MeMurray and Adams voting against.