BATHS TO BE ERECTED ON EASTON PARK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3580, 28 December 1926, Page 3

BATHS TO BE ERECTED ON EASTON PARK.

DECISION OF PUBLIC MEETING.

CARNIVAL MONEY VESTED'IN

TRUSTEES

A public* meeting was held iu the Town Hall Supper-room on Thursday evening to receive the balancesheet in connection with the recent Swimming Baths Carnival effort and to decide on a site on which to erect public swimming baths with the money so raised. The Mayor (Mr M. E. Perreau) was voted to the chair, and in outlining the object of the "meeting, said he was pleased to see such a representative gathering present. The executive and all the commit-, tees were well represented. In connection with the recent carnival, he said he felt sure everyone would agree that the ladies of the executive had done splendid work. Fie also took the opportunity of publicly thanking Miss Y. Easton, Farmers’ queen candidate, who had rendered valuable assistance during the early part of the carnival, hut, who, through ill-health, had to f'&tii’O from the contest. Great credit was due to Miss Easton for her efforts. iMjgtWlm- Trueman then read the balance-sheet in . connection with the Carnival, particulars of which have already been published in these columns, showing a credit balance of £905 19/- in the Post Office Savings Bank. The balance-sheet as read, was adopted. Mr R. Edwards, of' Palmerston N., speaking as a ratepayer, said that the effort had been wonderful and Foxton might well be proud of its womenfolk, who were some of the finest in the Dominion. The cause had been a grand one and the ladies had done their part and it now only remained for the men to do theirs. Swimming was a wonderful health-giving exercise, on many occasions it was a preventative of accidents and it saved worry on the part of parents if their children could swim. The erection of baths in a town was a necessity.

The Mayor, in endorsing Mr Edwards’ remarks, said that the next question for the meeting to settle was that of a site on which to erect the baths. There were several offering and he had that day shown these various sites to Mr Edwards, who was an expert in regard to the erection of baths. Mr Edwards had selected the old tennis courts in Ravensworth Place as the prime site. The other sites available were the section adjacent to the Council Chambers and in front of the N.Z. Shipping Co.’s shed and the Council yard'site. Mr A. Stevenson: Wlmt about Easton Park?

The Mayor: Oh, yes, there’s Easton Bark. I had quite overlooked that. (Laughter). Mr H.'Hutchins then moved the following motion, which was seconded by Mr E. Parkin: That this meeting approves Easton Park for

public Swimming Baths, and, provided the Borough Council takes

immediate.steps to-construct, same, that the amount raised by the Car-

nival, together with accrued interest, be handed over to the Council

as soon as arrangements are com-

plete to commence the work, and that in the meantme, the Carnival funds be vested in Trustees appro-* ved by this meeting. In speaking to the motion, Mr 11. Hutchins said that at present Fasten Park was a park in name only. Baths would be a great attraction and if a suitable playing area was formed in the centre of the ground and a cycle track pul down on the outer area the park would, in a very short time, be a revenue pro-

ducing reserve and a credit to the

tow'll. The success of the evening > cycle meetings held locally during the past year warranted the putting down of a cycle track on the park.

If a good ground was sot out in the centre of the field and the ex-

isting track across the ground was done away with the hockey club could use the ground on Saturdays except when any other local club wanted to play a rep. fixture. With the baths erected on the park, players could use them as dressingrooms and the shower and baths, themselves would prove a great boon, for the use of which he was of opinion, no player would object, to paying 3d. Mr .)• K. Hornblow said that at a previous public meeting the site question had been thoroughly discussed. The late Mayor (Mr Chry- / stall) favoured the river foreshore and at his request Mr Edwards drew up plans and specifications for carrying out the work of erecting baths in that locality. This, however, did not meet with public approval and a public meeting held at that time decided that the baths should be erected on Easton Park. Mr A. Ross submitted figures to that meeting showing the cost of pumping water for the baths on Easton Park. At the meeting the Mayor said that the wishes of the meeting would he earned out but at the Council meeting he said the time was not opportune for carrying out the work and that if baths were to be put down they should go at the rear of the Council Chambers. Mr Hornblow endorsed all that had been said about the women of the executive, but, he said, the fact should not be overlooked that the money raised and work of raising the money had been done by the various queen committees and it was those they had to thank for the £9OO raised. Another point that required clearing up was who would have control of the baths when the site was selected If the

Borough Council took control of affairs then they would have a responsible body at the head and everything should go along smoothly. It should be dearly understood first, however, whether the Council or a committee would take control. To his mind a committee would lead to confusion. Municipal baths were to be erected and the local governing authority should control them. It more money' was required to complete the work of construction then the ratepayer's should find it. He hoped the tradespeople and public would he given a rest from any further shop days for the object.

The Mayor said that the site adjacent to the Council Chambers was the best in his opinion. He would ask Mr Edwards to give the cost for constrhcting baths on this site. Mr Hornblow pointed out that there was a motion before the meeting. Mr Edwards could he heard after the motion was deeided on.

The Mayor: I will allow anyone to speak to the motion. Mr Edwards then spoke at some length on his experience in connection with baths and the great benefit they were to a town. Mr McMurray spoke in favour of Easton Park and suggested that the water should be heated as suggested by Mr A. Ross some years ago, by taking the pipes through the gas works furnace. The Mayor: We can’t do that.

Mr McMurray: Then if you can’t do that, fence in a portion of the river. Artesian water is too cold for swimming iu. He saw no difficulty ill heating the water at. the gas works.

Mr R. Rangiheuea also recorded his support of the motion. The Mayor: You seem to have your minds made up in favour of Easton Park. Continuing, he said that it would be impossible lo heat the water. The baths, lie said, would hot lie a money-making concern hut they would have to go where the majority wanted them. Mr Hutchins, speaking as the President of the Foxton Swimming Club, said that with the baths'on Easton Park small athletic meetings as well as swimming carnivals could be held which would greatly assist in producing revenue. Baths would be of great assistance to the runners'. The. motion was then put. and carried unanimously. The question was then raised as to who would cany out the work. The Mayor said lie favoured it being done by tbe ladies of the executive or a ladies committee. They had already done good work and they would have the. baths erected more speedily than the Borough Council could, or any body of men. He felt sure that they could do the work iu such a manner as to be a credit to themselves and the district as a whole. It was hardly fair to place the matter in the hands of the Councillors as their term of office expired iu a few months. Mr R. Rangiheuea pointed out that the discussion was contrary to the motion already carried. Mr <b K. Hornblow objected to the Mayor's proposal. If, he said, the Borough Council cannot face this work then the Bororgh Council is failing in its duty. The people of Foxton had subscribed £9OO and it was now for the Borough CounciL to do its duty. (Applause). The Mayor said that he had spoken to one or two Councillors on the matter and they were only too anxious to carry on the work. He did not wish to take the matter out of the hands of some of those present that night who had thought, that they would ho carrying on. Mr Hornblow: Will tlie Borough Council do the work or a committee and further efforts made to harrass the public? The Mayor: I will act according Lo the wishes of this meeting' on the Council.

Mr H. Hutchins said that during the evening it had been stated that the baths would not pay. He differed will this opinion. Eoxton was the centre for swimming in the Manawatu. With good baths erected locally championship meetings would be held here and local swimmer.s who had for years been handicapped for (lie want of proper facilities would benefit while the Council would receive the revenue.

Mr D. Christie asked how the Council proposed to raise any more money required to construct the baths.

The Mayor said that he would favour the Council raising more money if necessary rather than skimping the baths. He was afraid, however, that the Councillors would be of opinion that a lot of money had been spent lately and he was afraid to ask for any more. The Councillors would probably be seeking re-election soon and possibly they would be afraid to face the ratepayers if they sanctioned a small increase in the water rate. Mr Edwards said that for £I,OOO good baths could be erected which would be suitable tor championship and swimming carnival purposes. He favoured having the cold water, rather than going in for heating at the present. There was no reason to doubt that the baths would not only be self-supporting, but revenue-producing.

Tho meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr Edwards for his assistance.