Swimmers Want Baths at Point Chevalier

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 208, 22 November 1927, Page 14

Swimmers Want Baths at Point Chevalier

EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY DIXIELAND’S ACCOMMODATION FOR BATHERS All yesterday afternoon at the Dixieland Baths Inquiry was spent in hearing evidence tending to show that the beach would not suffer by the building of the baths, and that it was a desirable thing that baths should be built on a tidal beach, which was dangerous at low water. Continuing his evidence, Mr. R. F. Moore, engineer, said he had prepared the entrance and exit plan. There was a bridge from the baths to the shore, and a passage through Dixieland under the dressing sheds. This would be the only means of ingress and egress. Baths were proposed two and a-lialf years ago, when the conditions were obvious. The first scheme had several advantages, including cost, drainage, foundation and diving depth. Dixieland went to Point Chevalier because it was a popular place. Norman 'William Loveridge, manager of the cabaret, said the cabaret now provided accommodation for 1 500 swimmers dressing at once, and another place provided for between 500 and 600. The accommodation was often fully taxed. Bathers could only use the beach for bathing in any comfort three hours in 12. Witness agreed with a previous witness that only one in a hundred would bathe when the tide was out. Then it was very dangerous. Many had got into trouble when the tide was out, and some had even had to go to hospital. When the tide was in it was quite safe. One Sunday a fortnight was good for bathing, and the people could not get on the buses then. Mr. Nortlicroft: What was the position before you provided the dressing accommodation ? Witness: It was disgraceful. They used to undress in hundreds in the park, women on one side of a bush and men on the other. “Was there any complaint from the Council of Christian Congregations about that?”—“None*that I ever heard of. There were complaints to the City Council.” ■* Witness said the rush was so great at times that three attendants were necessary on the door. The provision of the accommodation had certainly paid Dixieland. CONDITIONS AT ST. KILDA Mr. George Thorpe, now a resident at Point Chevalier, remarked on the position at St. Kilda, Melbourne, where there were two large baths on the beach. The City Council declined to haveanything to do with the baths or the beach, and a Foreshore Committee controlled them. Four cabarets were near the beach,, and one of the largest south of the line was beside a bath. “I never heard of anyone leaving a cabaret to go to a bath. It is ridiculous suggesting such a thing.” Witness said St. Kilda was much the same as Point in that the tide going out provided only dangerous bathing. He thought the baths would greatly improve values at Point Chevalier. He said he thought the baths would even compensate for what loss they sustained even if the beach was damaged. “What are the terms for disposing of public properties at St. Kilda?” asked Mr. Nortlicroft. Witness: They 4et the beach sections, baths, cabarets, etc., to the highest tendered, for a period of 25 years. Captain H. H. Sergeant, Auckland harbourmaster, said the prevailing wind was westerly and south-west, and there might be some banking up of sand against the bath. He did not think the south end of the beach would be affected. In fact, he thought the sand came from banks off the beach, and that the baths would save sand going on round the point and being lost. Witness said beaches had built up round Shelly Beach Baths, and there had been little alteration to the beach since the baths were built in 1912. Mr. Godfrey said the bathkeeper told them there used to be a beach for 200yds. Captain Sergeant said he had been watching the foreshore, in the course of his duty, for 20 years, and did not think there had been any appreciable alteration. SWIMMERS WANT BATHS The swimmers’ aspect was voiced by Mr. T. C. Hobb-Jones, chairman of the Auckland Swimming Centre. Giving figures as to the population served by baths or proposed baths, he said there were 1,031 householders in the Point Chevalier area. Parnell only had about 200 houses or more. Both areas had heavy surrounding populations. “I would say baths are a necessary facility on a tidal beach.” remarked witness. “This v\*as a principle of the Swimming Association, and they had asked the City Council to withdraw its opposition to the baths. Even in Devonport there was an agitation to get a bath for use when the tide is out. “If the baths at Parnell had been concreted and lighted and opened in the proper manner at night they should have proved a financial success. In Napier the baths are crowded in the evenings,” remarked witness. “The baths at Point Chevalier as proposed would be an acquisition to the city.” He had seen people there for hours in the summer on the sand or mud, with no opportunity for washing. It was shameful. Advanced prosperity would follow, he was sure. To Air. Stanton: He understood that the bath was to be carried down to the papa rock, and he did not think they would be allowed to get as objectionable as Parnell did. When he first came to Auckland he did not even know there were baths at Parnell. They were never advertised. It was purely lack of management. BOYS DROWNED To Air. Godfrey: Two boys had been drowned in the channel at.low tide at Point Chevalier in the past two years, and it was a very dangerous place. J. J. Enwright, vice-chairman of the association, and still, an active siwmmer, considered the proposed baths were better than anything in New Zealand. They would be the only ones in New Zealand conforming with international standards. “We consider that from a humanitarian point of view we are more entitled to baths than to the stadium at Western Springs.” Dr. T. H. Pettit, chairman of the Auckland Head Centre of the LifeSaving Society, also urged the necessity for baths. They wanted baths. The ownership was immaterial.