HARNESSED TO DEATH WITH CONDITIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9549, 22 July 1909, Page 5

HARNESSED TO DEATH WITH CONDITIONS.

To the Editor. ; Sir,—lt is a remarkable fact that from time Dr W. H. Hoskir.g his intention of donating the sum of £SOO to be devoted towards the erection of a swimming bath for the ladies of Masterton, thera has been trouble. Difficulties innumerable have sprung up at every turn, and so the matter has dragged over many weary months, to the disgust of everyone concerned. Finality in the matter, however, was reached on Tuesday night. The refusal of the Coum-il to accede to the Doctor's wishes in the matter of the erection of the baths culminat'-d in the Doctor immediately withdrawing that evening. His explana- j ti' n is that he is disgusted with the J way in which matters have dragged , on. With all due respect to Dr Hosking, and with a keen appreciation of his generously intended gift, I cannot but help remarking that that gentleman has, unwittingly, no doubt, contributed materially in delaying the erection of the bath. In view of this I cannot refrain from observing: that his withdrawal of the "gift" is not worthy of the fine sentiments that prompted the proposal in the first place. Dr Hosking harnessed his gift w th such a multitude of conditions that the Council hardly knew which way to turn, and hence the delay. Then when the tenders were called, the donor refused to accept the lowest. The specifications were elaborate enough to f-over the construction of J a "Dreadnought," and the result was high tendering from all the contractors. Seeing this it would have been a very simple matter for the Council to have reduced the scheme a little, and call for fresh tenders. Finally Dr Hosking consented to the Borough Engineer carrying: out the scheme, that officer having stated that he would erect a larger bath tor £SOO by day labour. The Council, however, would not agree to this lon the ground that it was an unnecessary risk for the Council Ito undertake, when competent contractors could not come near the price. There is certainly something in favour of this argument. Had Doctor Hosking made his gift I to the Council for the erection of a bath, with instructions"not to consult his wishes tuo often" the bath would have been an accomplished fact weeks ago, and "radium" would still be as useful to humanity as heretofore. —I am, etc., A LADY SWIMMER. Lansdowne, July 21st, 1909.