TEPID BATHS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1939, Page 6

TEPID BATHS

(To the Editor.) Sir. —The letter from “Ratepayer” requires an answer. Alleging that the tepid baths constructed in Wellington were a failure, he opposes the construction of the proposed tepid baths in Masterton. The following facts should be known. The Wellington tepid baths were built in a basement of the Boys’ Institute buildings near the Basin Reserve. The locality was not the best for 'public baths, the surroundings and conveniences being by no means attractive. These baths were primarily for the use of the lads of the Boys’ Institute and of the neighbourhood, but the directors, in order to make them revenue-produc-ing, opened them to the public. For obvious reasons the revenue did not come up to expectations, and the venture was a disappointment to the authorities, who decided that a gymnasium would be of greater use, besides costing much less. The baths were boarded over, forming the floor of the present gymnasium. It is clear from the above facts that the analogy drawn is decidedly unfair, and might be prejudicial to the present Masterton project. I am, etc, “PLUNGE.” Masterton, April 10.