PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS
PUBLIC MEETING DECLARES FOR EASTON PARK SITE. The public meeting of ratepayers, convened by the Mayor (Mr John Chrystall) was held in the Town Hall Supper-room last night. There was an attendance of upwards of sixty and the Mayor presided. It was anticipated that there would be strong opposition to the fore shore site and this was manifested from the start, as was also strong opposition to the Mayor’s proposal 'for a site at the rear of the Council Chambers. The meeting with only two or three dissentients supported Easton Park. MAYOR’S OPENING REMARKS. In opening, the Mayor said the i stablishment of public swimming baths had engaged the attention of the Council at various times during the past five years. The Council has decided that Die time is opportune to place a loan proposal before the ratepayers for the construction of baths and selected a site on the river foreshore. Apart from the question of site the construction of baths would supply a long-felt want to the community. The art of swimming is a healthy, invigorating exercise, and the he.st facilities should lie provided to encourage the prnelioe. A good swimmer possesses power which, in a moment of danger, places him in the happy position of being able to save his rwn life, as well as the lives of others, from death by drownin.g The proposed baths woufd he 75ft. x 35ft. and the cost £1,024. The loan would have a eniTcncy of ten years with interest at 6 per cent, and one per cent, sinking fund, secured by a rate of 11-04 din Ihe £. He was.prepared to fall in with whatever a majority decided as lo the site. First of all he would like a resolution, affirming the principle that swimming baths were needed, as lie thought they were a public necessity. He moved to that effect. Mr Ilornblow objected that the motion should be put after the dela ils were submitted of the proposals. The motion was put and carried. THREE SITES. The Mayor said three sites had been mentioned and be hoped that, whichever site was decided by-the majority present would he heartily supported and the work gone on with. FORESHORE SITE. The Mayor then dealt at length with i river fuicshore site, which, In said, had been approved by the Council. One great advantage of this s’lc, compared with .a terrace, was the complete elimination of the cost of pumping. The proposal is to sink one or two bores yielding jointly* 8,000 gallons per hour. This water would flow spontaneously into the bath, (holding about 80,00 ft gallons) and fill in from ten to twelve hours. At this site the water could, if desired, be discharged every night and refilled entirely with artesian water automatically by the following morning. The saving in the cost of pumping based on the extraordinary supply rate of Is per 1,000 gallons, arid filling the bath only once weekly, would be £4 per week or approximately £2OO per annnni. The site is.fairly central, being within five minutes’ walk of both schools and about, ten chains from the centre of Main St. An objection had been raised to the tenure of the site. The tenure is practically the same as that held by all the flaxmillers on the foreshore, who have remained in undisturbed possession for at least thirty years. He would give a personal guarantee to pay £I,OOO if the site bad to bn given up without compensation within ten years. COUNCIL CHAMBERS SITE. Another site was at the rear of the Con.n il Chambers. By slightly deepening the Awahou drain, the I .at lis could be filled as provided at the foreshore. If this site was selected the work could be proceeded with immediately the loan was carried, whereas if Easton Park was selected heavy pumping charges would he incurred until the power from Mangahao is available. Failing the foreshore site, he strongly recommended the Council site to the meeting. EASTON PARK SITE.
The construction of baths in Easton Park, in Iris opinion, bristled with difficulties. One suggestion was iu lay six-inch mains from the wells and pump direct and another to supply the water direct from the lower. He opposed these suggestions as they would interfere with rlie efficiency of the water supply tor lire protection and domestic -apply* The best method would be to sink two bores and iasial a separate pumping plant to include a J,.p. motor. The cost of such plant would not exceed £2OO and the cost of tilling the bath 1/3 pet .1,000 gallons. The Council would have to get a fixed rate for the supply of current ' from the Power Board beforehand. CR, SMITH'S EXPLANATION AND PROPOSAL. Cr. Smith explained that lie desired to move an amendment at the Council table to the foreshore site but in deference to the Mayor’s expressed wish, he had withdrawn it as the Mayor had said to move an amendment would result iu the scheme “hanging lire.” The Council however, was not unanimous on the foreshore site and public opinion was opposed to it. He moved the following motion: “That while this meetiug of ratepayers is in favour of a loan proposal for public swirn-
ming baths, it does not approve of the proposed site and, further, is of the opinion that a public library, reading room and rest room for women is of equal importance and that a loan proposal for-same should be placed before the ratepayers simultaneously with the loan proposal for swimming baths. Further, that this meeting of ratepayers recommends Easton Park as a suitable site for both the swimming baths and public library, readingroom etc.” The Mayor objected to the inclusion of public reading room etc. in the motion as the meeting was called to discuss swimming baths. Cr. Smith: It will allow the meeting to express an opinion on a proposal of equal importance and which can be taken with the baths proposal. I previously asked you to take both proposals at this meeting. The Mayor said the purpose of the meeting had been advertised and lie could not accept portion of the motion. Cr. Smith said he would not amend it and withdrew, the motion. PUBLIC LIBRARY INTERLUDE. Cr. Coley continued a discussion on the library loan and asked Cr. Smith why he had opposed his (Cr. Coley’s) loan proposal for a public library, etc., in the Council. A public library was necessary, but he thought the swimming bat\)is question should be settled at the meeting and they should be unanimous first of all on the question of site, so that they could go straight ahead. He was sorry that out of 400 ratepayers there were only 50 odd present. A slight altercation took place between Crs. Coley and Smith and the. Mayor called both speakers to order. Cr. Bryant and the Mayor then moved that the river site be approved of. The mover said if they erected baths elsewhere people would still go to the river. Mr Perreau moved an amendment seconded by Mr Podmore, that the Borough Council site be adopted. CR. ROSS UPSETS THE MAYOR’S FIGURES. Cr. Ross said he could not agree with the Mayor’s opinion as to the site, nor were his figures correct in reference to the cost of pumping, etc., oil Easton Park, which were very misleading. The cost of pumping would not approximate more than £3O per annum, or l£d per 1,000 gallons and the capital cost, would he less at Easton Park than at the other two sites mentioned (applause). The baths on Easton Park would further popularise this public asset, of which the public were proud. If the baths were constructed near the ga - works, provision could be made for a beating system which would give them tepid water without extra cost. A further advantage would be that a {'aretaker could he appointed to look after the park and baths. He stressed the advantage of baths on the park for those who desired to have a plunge after playing a strenuous game there. The whole surroundings were more, pleasant to the public; than the other sites suggested and the added advantages incomparable (applause). Cr. McMurray endorsed Cr. Ross’ remarks and said the park provided a good get-away for the water and when the drain was filled in, which would have to be done *;ooner or later. added provision would be made for football. The river bank site was not only undesirable, but presented other difficulties. Mr Hornblow spoke in favour of l he Easton Park site. Mr Perreau said he only supported the Borough Council site on the score of finance. The Mayor made an appeal to the members of the Beautifying Society about pulling up the trees they had planted on Easton Park if the baths were erected there. He couldn’t see how they could support Easton Park. ' / Cr. Coley: They should pull up all the box thorn they have planted there. Mr Martin: There would be nothing left for the cows to graze on (laughter). Cr. Smith endorsed Cr. Ross’ remarks and said a big saving would be effected in the capital cost on Easton Park. - Cr. Coley also supported Easton' Park and said it was undoubtedly the best site. „
- The Mayor again urged the other sites and made a personal reference to Cr. Ross as bring present in a dual capacity. This raised protests from all parts of tlie loom and the Mayor said he did noL mean any personal refleeliun on Cr. Ross.
Mr Jno. Ross explained how tepid water could be obtained from the gas works at littlb cost. Mr Edwards, who was present, and who had prepared plans and estimates for llie baths, was asked to .-peak by the Mayor, but politely iclosed the invitation in the circumstances. Eurtiler desultory discussion folio vveii and "the Mayor was accused of quibbling and requested to take a vote. EASTON PARK DECIDED ON. On the motion for the river site being put, it was lost, only the proposer aud seconder supporting it. The Borough Council site was then put aud received a similar dismissal The voting on Easton Park site was practically unanimous. The Mayor: Does anyone wish to move a further amendments If ■not I will move one myself. After a - pause he said he did not think he would do so.
The Mayor said lie would like the, meeting to say what steps should lie taken to enter into arrangements with the Power Board for pumping. Mr Hornblow said such details of administration should be left to the Council and not this meeting and if the Mayor had not the confidence of the Council,to carry out such -VgsL they should retire. PUBLIC LIBRARY AND READING room. Cr. Smith then moved that this meeting requests the Council > to call a public meeting of ratepayers to discuss loan proposals for the erection of a public reading-room, library and rest room, and that a loan for such purpose be.. taken simultaneously with the baths loan, each loan to be separate. This was seconded in several quarters and carried unanimously. The Mayor thanked those present for their attendance and said he was pleased to know that the baths on Easton Park would not prevent football being played there. On the motion of Mr Hornblow, a vote of thanks was aceorded the Mayor for convening the meeting and presiding.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2654, 3 November 1923, Page 2
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1,902PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2654, 3 November 1923, Page 2
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