Dixieland Baths Inquiry Opened

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 205, 18 November 1927, Page 13

Dixieland Baths Inquiry Opened

DEPARTMENT’S ACTION MANY INTERESTED PARTIES . Th u P rolon 3ed disagreement as to whether the Dixieland Company W'l or Will not be permitted to build baths on Point Chevalier Heaeh was advanced another stage this afternoon when Mr. G C Godfrey, Secretary for Marine, associated with Mr. L. B. Campbell, district Public Works engineer, began an open inquiry into the pros and cons of the position. Cn their ultimate findings will depend the decision of the Marine as to whether a licence will be given for the erection of the baths. Dixieland. Ltd., the City Council and Harbour Board were fully represented when the inquiry opened, and there were a number of other organisations watching the proceedings, including the Swimming Association, and even a representative of the Salvation Army. Mr. E. H. Northcroft represented Dixieland officially, and Mr. J. Stanton the City Council. “WANT SOMETHING SPECIFIC” t ** Godfrey said the inquiry had been set up to deal with protests. Dixieland had been given a licence in May last, but an injunction was afterwards granted by the Supreme Court. Dixieland then applied for permission to erect the baths in front of the cabaret premises. The objections had come from Point Chevalier Sailing Club, and the City Council. One was also made by the Y.W.C.A., another from the Civic League, one from the National Council of Women, another from the Auckland "Women’s Temperance Union, and finally one from the female probation officer. He then read the conditions imposed on the granting of the first licence, which were fairly stringent, the breach of which involved concellation of' the licence. “Generally the objections are not specific,” remarked Mr Godfrey. “They are quite general, and we would like something specific.” “THIN END OF WEDGE” “We base our objection on the ground that this would only be the thin edge of the wedge in taking beaches away from us,” remarked a representative of the Temperance Union. Mrs. Watson, secretary of the Civic League, based her appeal on the right of liberty to use the foreshores. Mrs. Bentwell, on behalf of the mothers of Auckland, held that the beaches should be maintained to the use of the children. Mr. Northcroft said some statements were being made that he certainly wanted to ask questions about. Mr. Godfrey said he would allow that, after the representatives had made their remarks. All the women representatives generalised on similar lines. Mr. Godfrey; You ladies seem to speak as if the whole beach was being taken away. The area is very small. A Woman Representative: We object to a foot being taken. Mr. Godfrey: What about if the council erected the baths? A Lady: That would be quite a different matter (laughter). Councillor Alice Basten: We are not fighting Dixieland. We are fighting a principle. (Proceeding.)