THE LADIES' SWIMMING BATH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9554, 29 July 1909, Page 5

THE LADIES' SWIMMING BATH.

THE ENGINEER TO PROCEED WITH THE WORK. WHEN FUND 3 ARE AVAILABLE. DR HOSKING'S LATEST OFFER. A special meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last evening, in connection with the Hosking Memorial Bath question. There were present, —The Mayor (Mr P. L. Hoilings), and Crs W. Morris, J. Prentice, J. C. Ewington, W. Pragnell, R. Rigg, T. G. Hoar, F. W. Temple, J as. Elliott, and J. H. Pauling. The Mayor explained his object in calling the Councillors together. As a result of an interview with the ladies of the Swimming Club, who had assured him that they would find the £SOO if the Borough Council woulJ proceed with the work in accordance with Dr Hosking's wishes, he desired to move the following resolution: —"That the Borough Engineer be instructed to proceed with the erection of the Ladies' Swimming Bath un the site agreed upon in the Park near Bruce Street on the plans and specifications prepared by him, on the Ladies' Swimming Club providing the sum of £SOO for that purpose, they having agreed to do so." Cr Elliott wished to know if the money was to b? lodged with the Council before the work was commenced, and on the Mayor assuring him that this was so, he seconded the motion.

Cr Rigg ssid that as he had not I pr-viou ly taken a proninent part in j the discus.iio'. in connection with the matter he woull like to make a few remarks. He did not tul'y endorse the motion as it was before the | Council. It was asking them to do ' what the Council had already decided to reject. If the motion shewed some kind of a compromise it would have been different. Had a motion been drafted showing a modification of the plans and specifications bringing the scheme within a reasonable limit of the £SOO, then he predicted the Council would support it unanimously. He could not see how it was possible for the Enginee'r to perforin the work when the six contractors who had tendered for the work were so much higher than the Engineers' price of £SOO. They should not commit themselves to a liability, and a responsibility they , couLi not pertorm. i The Mavor:-The motion is committed to £SOO. Cr Ri2?, continuing, said the ! ladies wore to bo congratulated on the enthusiasm they had shown in the matter, and the success that had attended their interview with Dr Hosking. The hdies were enthusiastic, and he thought they were capable of seeing the scheme carried out themselves. He would therefore move an amendment "That the Ladies' Swimming Club be requested to undertake the erection of the swimming baths themselves, the Council to provide the site." Cr Ewington said he had much pleasure in seconding this amendment. There was no resaon why the ladies should not have the Engineer's services in the scheme. As he had stated before, he was of the opinion that it was impossible to carry out the work for the money, and further, the Council should not take over the responsibility of it. He would go so far as to say he would make a donation to the Hospital if anyone could testify they could do the work under the drastic conditions. It was generous of Dr Hosking to make the offer. Cr Ewington at this juncture stopped speaking, and directing a severe look at his Worship said, j "You need not smile." ' The Mayor, (sarcastically): I beg

your pardon; I did not know that Councillors were prohibited from smiling." Cr Ewington, after a few further remarks, resumed his seat. Cr Temple asked what would hap' pen if it were found that the baths could not be erected for the money. The Mayor: The Engineer has given his assurance that they will not cost more than £soo—that ought [ t« be sufficient. | Cr Temple: "That's, all right, but j look at the difference in the tenders." Continuing, the speaker said j that all he was anxious to do was to i protect "die ratepayers as a whole. He knew something of contracting | and was of opinion i-hat the baths could not be erected for the money. I Li any case he would like to see the ! matter settled. Cr Pauling said he had been against erecting the baths in the park, but as that point had been decided he would not dwell on it. He had no objection to the Engineer supervising the work, provided they we'-e protected against loss. One of the most important matters in connection with the baths was that its maintenance was going to cost between £SO and £6O a year as a result of it being placed in the Park. He was of opinion that the Engineer could construct the baths for [the £SOO, for the simple reason that he required no profit, and could make use of the Borough plant and generally work much cheaper. Cr Pragnell said the Engineer was a reliable man, and the work he had accomplished was highly creditable. The Engineer was capable of doing the work, and he would support the motion. Cr Morris said it was an importnt matter, and he felt as a ratepayer and a Councillor that the £SOO should not be lost. He also had opposed the baths being in the Park. The Council could not do the work without the money. Mayor: "The motion is that tne Council proceed with the work on the ladies providing the money." He agreed with Cr Pauling that the J Engineer could .accomplish the work \ for the £SOO. If they did not accept the offer it would be lost. Cr Prentice spoke in similar terms. The Mayor said there was really nothing to reply to. ' He traversed the ground in support of his contention that the Engineer could do the work. It was the duty of the Council to assist the ladies, and see that the scheme was carried through. He hoped the motion would be carried, and an unfortunate affair ended. The amendment was then put to the meetng, and was declared lost, only Crs Rigg, Ewington and Temple voting for it Cr Ewington then asked to move another amendment, but was ruled out of order by the Mayor. The motion was then submitted to the meeting, and declared carried, Crs Ewington. Rigg and Temple opposing it.