THE BATHS PROPOSAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1940, Page 4

THE BATHS PROPOSAL

(To'the Editor.)

Sir, —Your correspondents “Ratepayer” and “Karroo” are obviously dominated by the thought of a probable lightening of their pockets if the Borough Council goes ahead with its plan to provide better swimming facilities in our town. Whilst I cannot claim to be a ratepayer and therefore perhaps am not competent to express an opinion on a financial matter of this kind, I do claim to be a citizen of the town and in my capacity as a citizen I endeavour to both take an interest in civic affairs and give some service to the town in return for the privilege of living in it. Both the' writers think that Masterton has plenty of baths and needs no more. They are both right—we do not need more baths, we need better baths. “Ratepayer” points out that there are at least six swimming pools in and around the town and again he is correct, but what he neglects to say is that only one of those pools in open to the general public and because that one is old, in poor repair and has inadequate dressing facilities only a small percentage of the public who would patronise a decent pool do attend this one. There is another pool available for the women only of Masterton. but I believe that it has now become something of a white elephant and is poorly patronised for the same reasons that make the Dixon Street Baths unpopular, though used for lack of anything better.

May I ask if “Ratepayer” and “Karroo” are interested in swimming or physical welfare? Have either of them been in the Dixon Street baths within the last three years? Have either of them children who are fond of swimming? The object of this letter is not criticism, but to make a plea to all ratepayers to take a long view of this baths question and not be blinded by the financial aspect to the exclusion of the physical welfare of a large proportion of Masterton's population. No citizen will deny that the problem of the town's water supply is of paramount importance, if for the moment we forget that the National war effort is the first consideration at present, but. very close behind comes the baths problem and if the council's desire to place the two question before the ratepayers is gone on with it is my sincere hope that they will vote in favour of both proposals and so bring this town into line with other New Zealand towns of its size in having both an adequate water supply and a decent swimming pool. I am, etc. CITIZEN. Masterton. January 27. 1940.