INVASION OF BATHS

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 105, 29 January 1954, Page 6

INVASION OF BATHS

ARMY'S BLOODLESS WIN A ratepayer and holiday resident of Taupo, Mr P. K. Peters, in a letter received at the Borough Council's meeting on Wednesday, January 20, complained that an Army major and a party of some twenty troops had appeared at the A.C. Baths on the riight of Saturday, January 9, arid taken precedence over people who had been waiting their turn for a bath.

| Mr Peters stated that with his wife and son he had been waiting from 8.45 p.m. for a bath. About 0 . 20 p.m. the Army party came down, and the Major told people to get out of the bath saying that it was booked. Mr Peters then enquired at the office and was informed that the bath had not been booked. However, some six parties who had been waiting their turn were over-ridden and the Bath, living up to its name of "Armed Constabulary Bath," was once more taken over by the Army.

Cr. K. E. Young asked whether a report had been obtained from the caretaker, Mr Harding. The Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, stated that he had interviewed Mrs Harding, who stated that the Major had enquired earlier as to booking the Baths but she had told him this was difficult but had suggested that he bring his party later in the evening. She had then told him to go into the two larger baths when they were empty which he J did. The two smaller baths were then available but Mr Peters had refused to go into one of these.

Cr. C. Vedder stated that he had also enquired and' that the Army had visited the Baths again the j following morning, using the larger baths, and leaving the others available. The behaviour of the party had been good and he thought that the matter had been dealt with as well as possible in the circumstances and that everyone had been treated fairly. The letter was received.