THE HAMILTON BATHS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2682, 19 September 1889, Page 2

THE HAMILTON BATHS.

TO THK EDITOR, Silt,—From the report of the proceedings of Hamilton Borough Council I tiud the Baths Committee are to take action re the appointment of a caretaker for thn Hamilton West Baths. As 1 have been connected with that institution since its construction, and have ever felt a great interest in its welfare, from public as well as personal grounds, I will ask you to grant me space in your valuable paper to state my views as to the system upon which the bath should be run, so as to prove of the most use to the burgesses and effect the purpose for which it owes its existence, viz, the promotion of the art of swimming among all classes of the community and security from drowning to women and young children whilst bathing. When I first took charge of tho bath three seasons ago, I was sanguine that it could be worked so as not only to provide for the cost of caretaking but also to yield a revenue to the Borough funds, at least to compensate fur interest upon the cost of construction. Since that time I have had occasion to alter my opinion, consequent upon loss of population, general depression, and the erection of a second bath, which, although of little use for the purpose of which it was constructed, has been thrown open free of charge, and has no doubt materially affected the attendance of the West Bath. The terms upon which I undertoek the caretaking last year were to be allowed to collect from each bather the sum of one penny for single admissions, and I bound myself to issue season tickets to children at 2s (id ; adults ten shillings. Though everything was done by ths Baths Committee and myself to meet the convenience of bathers, and render the baths popular, these moderate charges resulted in a total income of £15, (my books are at the service of the sceptical), for between five and six months' close attention. From a narrow observation of the disproportionate attendance of children to population, I have arrived at the conclusion that the. charges, small though they are, preclude the attendance of many of the poorer ratepayers' children, and I now offer as a suggestion to the Hamilton Borough Council that the public baths should be thrown open FUKE at fixed hours to all children resident within the borough. The poorer ourgesses, equally with the well-to-do, have shared the cost of construction of the baths, and it is obviously just that they should be enabled to benefit by them. It is quite necessary, if the baths are to be used at all, that a caretaker should be appointed, not only with a view to the cleanliness of the baths, but to maintain order, and as far as possible guard against mishaps to bathers, if he is to do his duty he must be in attendance for tho better part of tho day, and as he requires special qualifications to fill the post, I think all will agree that he would not be overpaid at a pound to twenty-live shillings a week. If tho Council appoint a man to fill the duties of caretaker at a salary of £10 for the season, he may possibly make another £10 from the admission of adults, but not more. I am not seeking the position myself, and will ask your readers to believe that I am disinterested in the matter beyond the natural wish that I have to see the bath, which I have been connected with, well-attended and properly cared for. Hamilton has done so much to promote bathing that the expenditure of £10 to insure efficient care of both life and property, ought not to stand in the way of rendering their bathing arrangements as perfect as possible. As I have said, I do not seek the position of caretaker myself but would be glad to seethe post filled by some capable man. I intend to continue teaching swimming in this district during the season, but I am arranging for classes in Auckland during, January next so that I could not accept the position of caretaker to the Hamilton Baths fur the whole season if offered to me. 'On this subject of bath expenditure much prejudico exists in the minds of some of the Burgesses and members of the Borough Council, caused no doubt by the excessive cost of the original construction of the baths and the folly of erecting two baths where one would have been ample, and there are those irrational enough to contemplate closing the baths altogether. But if these I individuals could have heard, as I have, visitors from all parts of tho colony speaking in eulogy of the intelligence of the the executive that had given its population the means of bathing in comfort and safety, they would probably regard the baths with more favour. Should the Council adopt the course I suggest, it would be wise to remove tho structure on the east side of tho river (which cannot, without great expense, bo made available as a swi.M.Misu bath), and strictly enforce a bye-law against open bathing upon tho river banks, which is dangerous and often indecent. In conclusion, I have to say that should a caretaker be appointed I will readily afford him the advantage of my experience on any matter relative to the management of thn bath and will otherwise at all times interest myself to make the bath popular.—l am etc, Joski'h U. Paxneij,.