POINT CHEVALIER BATHS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 461, 17 September 1928, Page 8

POINT CHEVALIER BATHS

Sir, On the eve of the poll for the £22,500 loan to construct baths, one wonders what the Point * Chevalier ratepayers in particular think of the latest gleam of business acumen displayed by the City Council. In effect, the Point people are told: “You must vote for this loan or you will not be permitted to swim in the sea.” And apparently the council thinks the Point people will obey the dictum and vote en bloc for the loan. But will they? They are faced with voting for the loan—with a possible chance of having some sort of baths erected within a few years, after which they may, if they are lucky, have a swim now and then with the council’s permission, and in the time allotted by the council. Or in the alternative, they may gaze at the locked doors and wonder what baths are built for, anyway. That the baths are expected to pay interest on the loan is not presumed even by the most optimistic, as the past history of the council's baths will prove. Baths simply do not and cannot pay, but the people want them, so the council must

build them. But unfortunately, the council insists in managing - them, and in view of its past record, who shall say that the Point Chevalier baths, if erected, will either pay or satisfy the needs of the bathing public? On the other hand, if the loan is turned down (rank heresy, but a good bet), the council will say: “You people do not want the baths. You had your chance and refused the loan. Now you must take a bath at home.” Now, sir, if the loan is refused, does it mean the people do not want the baths? Certainly not. They want them more than ever, but they are very dubious about a council bath and its management, and certainly cannot see why they should borrow £22,500 to provide a very doubtful service, while a private company is prepared to gi ve a better service with no liability to the ratepayers. For it would be a better service—open at all times whenever bathers required it. Open at night under a brilliant light. Open to school children once a week, free. Attendants would be there at all times, io see that bathers’ wants were supplied* Never mind about whether it would pay. That is the company’s businessbut probably it would be managed so as to show a profit. Anyhow, Mr. Editor, it is a safe bet to stake the company’s chance of being able to try its luck again after the loan has been refused, and when » does, probably the Minister will be be*> ter versed in the conditions as they exist and will readily grant its app ,.J cation. Meanwhile, the council woui do far better to embellish the pars o the Point and make It attractive to tn thousands who will go there l^tcr. WILL. A. CARTER Jj