The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4632, 8 November 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1883.

One of the many wants we suffer from is that of public baths, and when it is con* sidered how necessary they are in such a climate, .what facilities we possess, for their existence, and the great boon they : would be to the people,-—not only from a saaitary point of view, but as a means of pleasurable exercise,—it seems to be a wonder that such things have not long before this been instituted here. Io many other small, as well as large towns, and in the cities of this and the neighboring colonies,.these things have been pro- j vided, —if not by the public bodies, by companies, which have proved well-paying concerns, and there would appear to be no reason why the establishment of them here should not be at once proceeded with. The idea; on the Thames even, is an old one, and has been mooted over and over again, but has never assumed any practical shape in our community. The advantages derivable from the existence of a swimming bath are so numerous, and at the same time so palpable, that it is almost superfluous to even refer to them. On the health-giving properties of bathing it is unnecessary to dilate; as a means of wholesome recreation and pleasurable pastime, swimming takes a high place amongst physical exercises, and as a necessity in the matter of life preservation it is absolutely a stern duty on the part of parents and guardians that those under their charge should be fully instructed in the means of keeping their heads above water should occasion place them in a position demanding the use of such knowledge, and the number of accidental deaths from drowning chronicled almost daily in the press of the colony would point out the danger arising from neglecting the teaching of this most useful accomplishment. The large quantity of water going to waste in the Borough would more than supply that required for a swimming bath at" least four times the size of that which would be required hi the Borougbi and the costV of ; cbhstructing the ' bath and necessary appurtenances, would be comparatively trifling. If the Borough Council is not in a position, or has not the inclination to do their clearly-defined duty in relation to this matter, it behoves the people to take it in hand, and, at any rate, see if the thing cannot be easily done by themselves by the meaas of a company, which by a small outlay would reap a handsome profit; or by any other means which might present themselves. There are several schemes quite practicable by which the work suggested could be carried out, ana macreTtoironty^Ton^uppurthrsrti*b-»--source of profit to those who would undertake it.