The Reporter.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 47, 17 February 1894, Page 8

The Reporter.

PUBLIC BATHS. The question of erecting public baths, concerning which a good deal of correspondence has been carried on iu the press, came up for consideration in the Town Council on Thurs. day, when Or. Hanau moved for the appointment of a committee to consider and report at next meeting as to the most suitable site for, and the cost of erection of public baths, and to devise a scheme to make same (if erected) self-supporting. In speaking to the motion, Cr. Hanan strongly advocated the erection of baths, holding that it was the general wish of the ratepayers that they should be erected if they could be made selfsupporting. That baths were a necessity was evident from the fact that every available place for bathing was utilised, he (the speaker) stating that at many of these places (water-holes, &c.) people could be seen bathing in a state of nudity by females and other-passers-by. If efficient baths were established, placed under proper management and control, a small charge made for admission, and an instructress as well as an instructor appointed, so that ladies as well as gentlemen could patronise same, then undoubtedly such an institution would return an ample revenue. In proof of this one had only to visit towns where there were efficient baths and see the way in which they were patronised by both sexes. Country visitors as well as town and suburban people would patronise the baths. New Zealand at present was “ the curly-headed boy ” of the British colonies, and Southland was leading in the march of the prosperity of that colony. It was consequently a reflection on the people of Invercargill that a town of its population and wealth —the capital of admittedly the best and most prosperous agricultural district of the Australian colonies —had not a common city requisite in the shape of baths. The country was very often judged by visitors and others by the appearance of the town in the way of buildings, improvements, and possession of modern city requisites, and settlement induced accordingly thereby. The public required baths, and it behoved Council to give attention to the matter if found practicable and reasonable. The real question at issue was to obtain a suitable site con* venient for all parts of the town. Many

suggestions had been made to him and in the press regarding a site for and the kind of baths to be erected, and he (the speaker) thought the suggestion made to him by their worthy Town Clerk the best, viz., that baths be erected or dug out at the rear of the gasworks in Spey street. The gravel taken out could be used for street maintenance, which would help to give a return to the Council for the expenditure on the work. The water could be pumped from the estuary, and in winter the baths could be used by a steam pipe from the gasworks. The committee no doubt would carefully consider this {suggestion as well as the others, and being enthusiasts in swimming and practical men, the matter would be thoroughly gone into. In the interests of health and the recreation of the people, as well as for the credit of the town, baths should be erected. Cr. Storie seconded the motion. He pointed out that it was true funds were not available at present, but there was a vote of £SOO for baths on the Schedule of Works, and when the £19,000 debentures were floated, they could then go ahead and carry out this very needful work. Cr Stead also supported the motion, contending that baths were a necessity, and would be a benefit to the town in every way.

The motion on being put was' declared carried unanimously.