PUBLIC BATHS FOR HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2253, 16 December 1886, Page 2

PUBLIC BATHS FOR HAMILTON.

At the adjourned meeting of the Borough Council un Tuesday night, the committee appointed for the purpose brought up the following report : — The public baths committee have to report thai on Thursday, the 9th in*t., they inspected both sides of the river, aud have j to recommend that the baths on the Went I side be erected at the foot of Hillsborough Terrace, where the site is well protected by large willow trees on the river bank. On the East side of the river they recommend a site at Graham* landing, about fifty yards above Wellington-street. In beth places the river shelves gradually away, and will furnish a strip of about 12 feet out from the shore available for the use of children. The committee recommend that the East bath be not less th.in fifty feet in length, and extend some twenty feet or more into the stream, where the depth will b« f«»nnd to bo six or seven foet ; also, that along the whole shore frontage at a distance of some six teet from the water a closely- boarded fence to the height of seven or eight feet shall be erected, and that the piles forming the ends of the bath be continued up some 5 or 6 feet above the water line, and be roughly boarded no as to prevent all possible exposure of those inside. And further, that along the shore frontage a roof from the boarded fence be run as far as the water's edge, no an to form, as it were a verandah to the baths. This verandah-like shed to be floored and divided into eight or ten compartments fur use as dressing-rooms facing the water. The committee recommends that the batha themselves be constructed of piles driven into the river bed, and strengthened and made secure with battens, and that to ensure the safety of children using the baths, portions of which consist of deep water, a simple frame work of galvanised wire netting be stretched from end to end, where the drpth of water roaches 3$ feet. Spaces » yard wide at either end, and in the middle, if thought necessary, could be left to provide access for swimmers from the shallow to the deeper side of the bath. The committee further suggests that the baths, so long as the privilege is not abused by destruction of property, scribbling on the wall, or other objectionable practises, shall be open to the public free of charge each day before 8 a.m. and after 0 p.m. for adults only, and that between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. they be placed in the charge of caretakers, and that a small fee be charged, sufficient, if nobble, to make them self-supporting, say, 2d for a single bath, and the issue of weekly, monthly and season tickets at, say, (id, Is u\i and 5s respectively, or family tickets for the season at 10s 6d, these charges to entitle the visitor to the use of a clean towel. The committee also suggest that certain hours each day be set apart for the exclusive use of the baths by females, and that at least one life-buoy be kept ready for use in each bath. Should the council adopt this report the committee ask that Mr Dey be added to their number, and that they prepare plans of the proponed baths, to be laid on the table at the adjournment of this meeting to the 20th inst., to enable the council to call for tenders for the work.— Frkdk. J. Yon Stuhmer, Chairman. After some discussion, Cr. Barton moved " That the Public Baths Committee be empowered to obtain plan?, specifications, and estimates for the establishment of bathing places at each side of the river, and that this council adjourn till the 20th inst. to considor same." — This was seconded by Cr. Knox.— Cr. Scott moved and Cr. Jones seconded, " That plans and estimates for one central bath for the whole of Hamilton be called for." — The motion was carried. — The name of Cr. Dey was added to the Baths Committee, in compliance with the recommendation contained in the report, and Mr Sandes has since been instructed to prepare the necessary plans, &c.