PUBLIC BATHS.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 2, 14 April 1894, Page 7

PUBLIC BATHS.

THE INSPECTION OF MEAT. (to the editor.) Sir, —Some weeks ago I noticed that Cr. Hanan had brought a motion before the City Fathers with reference to the establishment of public baths in our town. It does seem a pity tbat, with sea-water at our very doors, we do not make more use of it, especially as sea-bathing is so conducive to health. The gentlemen are not slow to avail themselves of the privilege, though I fear a few more such specimens as the octopus exhibited in Esk street last week would damp even their ardour in this direction. As for ns poor women, the only thing which remains to us is to exercise the immemorial right of English - women — grumbling. Public baths are necessary, too, because it is needful that the children should learn to swim. Swimming is considered more useful than most exercises, because it brings into play almost all the muscles of the body ; and on these narrow islands, where we constantly have to travel by water, the knowledge is requisite as a safeguard. This is strongly emphasised by the sad boating fatality which recently cast a gloom over our town There is little doubt that had the victims been able to swim, their lives might have been saved. I should like to see swimming taught as a pass subject in all our public schools, as I am sure it would prove a most useful branch of education. I see that a neighbouring Australian colon}" has passed a law with regard to the establishment of public baths, at the same time making it legal for the sexes to bathe in company, properly dressed from neck to knee —-an eminently sensible arrangement. In this way fathers can teach their daughters to swim, and the presence of the stronger sex will be a safeguard to the weaker one.

Another subject in which I am greatly interested, is the establishment of public slaughter-houses, where each animal will be required to pass the Government inspection before being killed for food. INTot long ago, in our own colony, an animal suffering from “ lumpy jaw ” found in a slaughter-house waitng to be converted into butcher’s - meat. May not instances of this kind, in some measure account for the number of cancer cases in our midst ? Certain it is that’ a great deal more animal food is consumed in these colonies than is the case at Home, and I believe I am correct in saying statistics prove that the dire disease above alluded to is increasing more rapidly here than in England. The reason seems not far to seek. The preservation of the health of the family is especially women’s work, and I hope the ladies and the public generally will heai’tily support Cr. Hanan’s sensible proposals.—Yours, etc., Mieiam.