PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3007, 6 March 1926, Page 2

PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS.

r A l )ublic ‘ meeting was held in the Town Hall Supper-room on Thursday night to further discuss details in connection with the construction of public swimming baths locally. The meeting was presided over by Mr. T. W. Jewell and there was a fair attendance.

The chairman reported that he had induced the local Racing Club to come into the idea and with their added influence he though! that a greater sum could easily be raised. He had taken this matter upon himself and had put the suggestion before the Racing Club meeting on Wednesaay night with the result that they had approved of the idea The following resolution was carried at that meeting, however: That .this club is willing to join with the other sporting bodies in the local

effort subject to a satisfactory scheme being approved of by the committee of the Foxton RacingClub.

Mr. Mason said il would be an advantage to have the Racing Club come into the effort as it would help boost it along. He would like to know, however, how the funds were to be allocated. He understood the Racing Club property really belonged to the public of Foxton and was for their general use. The chairman: That is so, subject to the sanction of the trustee. Mr Mason asked whether the distribution of the money raised would be on a membership or invested capital basis. In the event of either of these being decided on how would the football club get on? Easton and Victoria Parks had to have a share also.

The chairman said they would either have to admit the Racing Club or bar them from coming in. Personally he had been looking ten or twelve years ahead when the Racing Club would need a new grand-stand. As the Club’s property was public ground the whole of the buildings on the course had to be built out of revenue as it was impossible to raise money on leasehold property. Under such circumstances it would take the Club a long time to carry out any such necessary improvement. This effort he thought a good solution to their troubles.

The chairman’s action in regard to the above matter was endorsed.

The organiser reported that as a result of information he had received in Wellington it would be necessary to delete the word “amateur” from the previous minutes in respect to the allocation of monies to “amateur sports bodies.”

On the motion of Mr Mason the word “amateur” was deleted, and the minute now reads “that an effort be made for the raising of funds to erect public swimming baths and provide improvements to local sports grounds. Mr. Christie said that the baths must be the first consideration. Mr. Mason considered a maximum of £2OOO would be set aside for the baths and this was agreed to. He also said that Easton and Victoria Parks,were specially mentioned at the first public meeting and a definite percentage would have to be set aside for these reserves. Considerable discussion arose as to the allocation of any surplus over the £2,000, it finally being decided that after £2OOO has been set aside for baths the Racing Club receive 50 per cent, of the balance, the Bowling Club 10 per cent, Tennis Club 10 per cent., Easton Park 10 per cent., Victoria Park 10 per cent, and the balance (10 per cent) to be divided among all other existing local sports bodies. Mr. MeMurray considered the amount for the parks rather high, but the motion was carried by 7 to 2.

The organiser’s scheme for the raising of the money was dealt with in committee and it was decided that the prizes to be allocated be: First £3OO, 2nd £IOO, 3rd £SO, two ~ of £lO, four of £5, and ten of £l.

A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.