THE PUBLIC BATHS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10117, 12 October 1910, Page 5

THE PUBLIC BATHS.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMING

SEASON

At the meeting of the Masterton Borough Council last evening, the town clerk submitted a lengthy report dealing with the public baths in tne town. He enclosed a return of bathers for the season 1910, and said the Council might well consider the advisability of dividing the; two baths between the sexes. Such a proceeding would overcome the necessity for the appointment, as in the past, or a female custodian. The "Christina and Alice" bath was in readiness for the opening day of the season, but the Dixon Street bath was not.

The Mayor stated that it woult be necessary to maintain a caretaker at the baths. His own idea was that thev should make a small charge for admission to the baths during certain hours. He thought that the idea of making the souThern baths available to males and the northern to females was a good one. He was of opinion that they might make the baths free between the hours r.f 8.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. Admission at other hours should be by ticket, for which a small charge could be made. He did not wish to rob the school* children of their bathing, but he thought that if the baths were made free between the hours of 8.30 and 4 o'clock, this would he j sufficient. Councillor Morris thought the Council should determine the matter once and for all. He was of ophiion that the school children should have, fixed hours for bathing. Councillor Rigg suggested that the Mayor and engineer consult with the i headmaster and Dean M'Kenna in j regard to special hours. j Councillor Pauling asked if they | could make the people pay for admission to the "Christina and Alice baths. • The Mayor stated that they could not make a legal charge, but at the same time if the hours were reserved, he had no doubt that the public would pay a small sum. It was decided, on the motion ol the Mayor, that the baths be opened on November Ist, and that the northi ern baths be reserved for females and the southern for males, a charge to be made for admission to each, and ! the time-table to be the same as last year; the Mayor and engineer to 1 interview Mr. W. H. .lncksnn and I Dean M'Kenna in reference to hours I for school children.