MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9717, 12 February 1910, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING. THE HOSKING MEMORIAL a *THS. A s-pecial mei-ti l? of the Masterton Borough C; h i il was held last to considt-r a iepnrt of the Bath Committee upon tne conditions for bathing in the Christina and Alice Memorial Baths. There were present: —The Mayor (presiding), Crs J. H Pauling, J. Elliott, J. Temple, T. Hoar, R. Rigg, W. Pragnell, J. C. Ewington, J. Prentice und W. Morris. The report was read as follow—- ' Your Committee (after conference with the Ladies' Swimming Club) recommend that the following regulations be made by the Borough Counil, viz. :• -1. That the hours of bathing he as follows:-—Week days, 7.30 to 9 a.m 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., exceDt Thursday and Saturdays, when the hours will be—7.3o to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Ihe hours of bathing on Sundays to be 7 30 to 10 a m. 2. That the ordinary charge for admission for all persons over the age of 14 be twopence, 14 years and under one penny. School children 14 years of age and under, attending under proper control will be admitted free. '3. That season tickets will be procurable from the Custodian at the following prices:—For families, 10s:for ladies, 2s 6d; for girls, 2s. That a limited supply of towels and costumes will be available tor hire by the public at a charge of one penny for eiich arti :le. 5. That the use of the baths ifi subject to the control and direction of the duly appointed custodian for the time being. 6. That the Masterton Borough Council and its custodian be relieved from all responsibility whatsoever in respect of the user of the baths by the public. 7. That the season for bathing ends on April 30th next. 8. That these regulations come into operation <»nd have full force and effect as and from the 7th of February, 1910, until further notice. That Mrs Von Kiesenberg be and is hereby engaged for the season ending the 30tb of April next at a salary at the rate of £2 per week subject to a signed schedule of duties to the approval of the Town Clerk. The committee understands that the Ladies' Swimming Club are not prepared to take over the management of the batbs at this advanced stage of the season, but the Club might be prepared to entertain such a proposition by or before the commencement of the next season."

The Mayor said the meeting had been railed to give the Council the opportunity of the regulations that they prop ; ed to adopt in regard to the batts, and, if necesEary, make su.h amendments as might be thought fit. Complaint had oeen made that the hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. were inconvenient, and he was of opinion that some alteration might be irade that would be more suitable. They might also discuss the qjestion of throwing open both these and the Dixon street oaths to the public frea of charge. If they decided to do so the upKeep would have to be paid out of the general rate, but, the burden would be a small one. A number of children in town could not well pay a penny every time they entered the baths, and it was hardly right that they should be debarred from swimming on that account. If they decided that the Hosking Baths were to be used free of charge they ought also to throw open the Dixon Street Baths tree He formally moved the adoption of the report, but stated he would be prepared to support an amendment in the direction of free baths.

Cr Morris seconded the motion, but hoped the report would not be altered to any extent as the committee had gone into the matter very carefully before drawing it up. . Cr Ewington stated he had intended to move in favour of free baths, and was sorry the Mayor had cut the ground from under his feet. Ihe total takings at the Dixon Street Baths this season only amounted to £3B 12s—not a very large item. He moved as an amendment that both baths be thrown open to the public free of charge, more especially as the losson the Hosking Baths would only amount to about £SO. The amendment was seconded by the Mayor. Cr Pauling, objected to the Dixon Street Baths being thrown open to the public free of charge as a num • ber of people bad purchased season tickets, and it was hardly fair that these should be charged and not others. He thought, though, that Dr. Hosking had intended the baths in the Park to be free. The Mayor suggested that the ticket-holders be reimbursed and Cr Ewington agreed to alter his amendment to that effect. Cr Prentice was in favour of the amendment, and h?ld that the Council had no power to charge for admission to the Hosking Baths. Cr Elliott opposed the amendment on the ground that 60 or 70 per cent, of the ratepayers did not use the baths, and would object to being taxed for those who did. He contended that the baths should be made self-supporting. Cr Temple also opposed the amendment, and objected to the salary of £2 per week that was to be paid to the custodian. Cr Hoar supported the amendment. Cr Pragnell was opposed to it, as long as salaries were being paid to custodians at both the baths.'' On being put to the meeting the am?tnnnent was carried OD'tfie cast-

ing vote of the Mayor, Crs Pauling, Hoar, Ewington and Prentice voting for it, and Crs Temple, Rigg, Elliott, Pragnell and Morris against. Some discussion then took on the question of hours, and it was decided, on the motiun of Cr Pauling, seconded by Cr Ewington, that the hours be from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11 am., to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. With regard to the custodian's salary the Mayor stated that the matter had been tully discussed by the committee, several of the Councillors holding that as the season was nearly over the salary was not unduly high. It had to be remembered that the hours were long, and that Mrs Keisenberg would have to devote the whole of her time to the work. He moved the adoption of this portion of the report. Cr Morris seconded the motion. Cr Temple held that the committee should have considered the question of giving the caretaker of the Park £1 per week more and thus dispensing with the services of the custodian. Cr Hoar stated he believed in giving fair \alue for the work and was opposed to "sweating." «Jr Pauling moved as an amendment that the portion of the leporfc be'deleted, and that the question of appointing a custodian be left in the hands of the Park Cotnrrittee. The amendment was seconded by Ur Ewington. Cr Morris opposed it, holding that the salary was only a reasonable one, and that the caretaker of the Park should not be asked to act as custodian. Cr Ewington stated it was not so much a question of salary as of dovetailing duties in to effect a saving. Cr Elliott contended that it would be in very bad taste "to reduce Mrs Keisenberg's salary now that it i ad been fixed, and in view of the fret that the season was nearly at an eoo. The amendment on being put to tlie meeting was carried. The Mayor moved, and it was carried that the regulations come i.-.to force as from Monday next, ii being understood that the hours for the Dixon Street Baths remain the same. The report as amended w*s then put to the meeting and carried, Cr Elliott stating that had he known the baths were not going to be selfsupporting he would not have voted for their construction.