Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1923. PUBLIC LIBRARY AND SWIMMING BATHS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2656, 8 November 1923, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1923. PUBLIC LIBRARY AND SWIMMING BATHS.

AT Monday night’s meeting of Uio Borough Council, Cr. Rows’ proposal Mint plans and specifications he prepared for (lie erection of public reading-room, library and public, conveniences al Easton Park, in conjunction with the baths, will be discussed. There is now unanimity upon the necessity for public swimming baths and the site for same. Public opinion also favours the erection of a. public library, reading room etc. We need not recapitulate the injustice of eliminating the reading-room and library etc. when the Municipal Chamber was erected. Ratepayers sanctioned a loan lor the combined purposes of such a building, which was destroyed by fire and from the insurance only portion of the original building, was VP-constructed —and this without the ratepayers voicing any opinion on the subject, The public reading-room and library is of equal importance with the baths proposal. This was clearly manifested at the recent public meeting and is the general opinion of the public. Cr, Russ lias hit upon a happy idea in his proposal to combine both schemes on a site >vhich should meet with general approval. It is for the Council to either adopt his proposal or bring down something better for the consideration of the public. Now that public opinion has been aroused, the Council must give equal consideration to both issues and it appears to us that Cr. Ross has shown the way to what may be a happy consummation of both proposals. Before the Council can submit concrete proposals to a public meeting, a good deal of detail work will have to be undertaken and it is to be hoped in this connection that each Councillor will give the subject careful thought at the same time bearing in mind that the ratepayers and not the Council, will exercise the final say.