SWIMMING BATHS CARNIVAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3518, 31 July 1926, Page 3

SWIMMING BATHS CARNIVAL

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the swimming baths carnival committee was held in Perreau’s rooms yesterday afternoon. Present: Mesdamcs Perreau (in the chair), Stevenson, Rand', Fuller, Heasman, Spring, Pearson (organiser) and the secretary (Mrs Owen).

A letter was read from the Sports Committee stating that at a recent meeting of that committee the following resolution was passed: • “That it be a recommendation to the carnival executive that a meeting be called to definitely fix the site of the proposed baths.”A similar request was made by the Farmers’ Committee.

Mrs Rand (Sports Committee) spoke in support of the letter. At present, she said, the committees were working in 4 the dark as no site had been fixed for the baths. People when asked to assist the carnival had mentioned this fact. To prevent any ill-feling or argument later, her committee had suggested a public meeting be held to thoroughly discuss and settle the matter.

Mrs Perreau said that the executive could not decide on a site for the baths. That would certainly have to be done by a general meeting.

Mrs Heasman (Farmers’ Committee) considered Easton Park was the best site for the baths. They did not want a site selected upon which they would have to pay rates.

Mrs Perreau said both the Ihakara Gardens and Council yards sit - es would be exempt from rates. Both of these were suitable sites. Mrs Heasman said the baths would not be public baths if placed on the Ihakara site as the Education Department would take them over for school purposes only.

Mrs Perreau said the same applied to the Council site. If placed in the Council yard they would belong to the Council. Mrs Rand: If the Education Department take over the baths they will not be public swimming baths. Mrs Pearson said that it would have to be decided by public vote whether baths were to be taken over by the Education Department or Borough Council.

Mrs Perreau said that one thing was certain and that was that the executive could not take charge of the baths. Once they were erected the Carnival Committee would cease to have anything to do with them,

Mrs Pearson said the question would have to be thoroughly discussed after the carnival was over and the baths put on the best site available.

Mrs Rand said that one reason for favouring Easton Park was on account of being able to have tepid baths on this site by having the water heated at the gas works. Mrs Pearson said that if the baths were located on Easton Park it would be necessary to use the water from the tower to fill them and it would cost 6d per 1000 gallons to pump. It would prove a very expensive item. Mrs Perreau said that once the baths were erected the Council would have to take them over and run them. She was sorry this question of site had cropped up as previously everyone had been so willing to assist with the carnival. Mrs Pearson then moved, seconded by Mrs Fuller, that this meeting of the Executive Committee is of the opinion that the time is not opportune to decide on the site for swimming baths and that we think it would be wise to let the matter of site stand over until after the coronation and then have the matter thoroughly discussed by a public meeting. Mrs Heasman moved as an amendment that the executive call a public meeting and go into the matter befoi’e the coronation. In doing so she said that she did not see how a public meeting could interfere with the carnival in any way. Mrs Rand seconded the amendment. On being put to the meeting the amendment was lost only the mover and seconder voting for it. The motion was then put and carried. Mesdames Heasman and Rand voting against. It was decided that in future queen eommitteesi be allowed to hold social entertainments on . behalf of their candidates on Friday nights. It was also resolved that all queens be allowed representation at the motor cycle sports on Labour Day and that Labour night be an open night and not restricted to one committee.