MUNICIPAL BATHS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 247, 17 September 1929, Page 2

MUNICIPAL BATHS

CONVERSION TO TEPID. NO RECOMMENDATION MADE. The proposal for making tho municipal baths tepid was discussed at the meeting of the Palmerston North Borough Council, last evening, when reports were submitted in connection with the matter.

Regarding the electrical heating of water for the municipal baths, the borough electrical engineer (Mr J. W. Muir) reported that the power available for the purpose at present was 300 k.w. for approximately eight hours per night. That would raise about 25,000 gallons of water 30 degrees. The bath contained 135,000 gallons. Therefore, if 25,000 gallons were run off and renewed each night, that was the limit of the system. The cost of such an installation would, ho estimated, be approximately £403. Tho lighting committee reported that, with reference' to the request from the Royal Life Saving Society that the cold water baths be converted into tepid baths, tho electrical engineer had reported that it would cost approximately £403 to install switchgear heating tanks, heating elements, the extension of 3300 volt line from Princess Street, apart from the annual running cost of approximately £402, and the cost of roofing in the present building. It was decided that, owing to the exceedingly heavy capital cost as stated above, and not having the necessary funds available, the committee was unable to make any recomrtiendation. Cr. Eliott, chairman of the committee, stated that the request had been reluctantly declined. Improvements to the building would have been necessary arid it would have been impossible to carry out the work without raising a loan. Tho Mayor read an extract from the engineer’s report of April 1, 1924, stating that in any scheme adopted he considered it absolutely essential that the baths should be covered in, but before that could bo done several alterations would have to be carried out to the east and south walls. During the past few years a number of serious cracks had developed in both walls which pointed to a movement in the foundations, and before attempting to add additional weight to these walls they should bo under-pinned. At any rate, a portion of the east wall would require to be dealt with. The engineer had recommended that the south wall be demolished and a new wall constructed seventeen feet behind the present one, making use of the remainder of the council’s land. Tho additional floor space provided at the deep end of the baths would be a decided advantage and in that respect lie also suggested that additional cubicles and footbaths be provided. The construction of the work outlined above, including a roof with lantern light, ho estimated would cost £2300. The Mayor expressed the opinion that it was doubtful whether the Local Body Loans Board would sanction such a proposal, and he did not think that it would receive the assent of the ratepayers. Cr. Fitzherbert said that lie did not think the matter should be dismissed in that fashion. Palmerston North was an important centre and life saving work was becoming a national necessity. He moved that the matter be referred to the committee and that the Royal Life Saving Society be invited to send a deputation in connection with the matter. He was not satisfied that a roof would have to be erected over the baths. In the present state they were by no means an advertisement, and were- one of the few public utilities not creditable to the town. Unless they were popularised, revenue could not be expected. He did not consider that an initial expenditure of £4OO for the installation was going to be an expensive matter. Cr. Mansford supported the remarks made by Cr. Fitzherbert front the point of view of increasing both the facilities and the revenue. The resolution to refer tho matter back to the committee was lost, and its report was adopted.