Possibility for hot salt-water baths at St Clair

In order that the Roslyn ratepayers might be made familiar with the proposal to drain the borough on the septic tank system the Mayor (Mr J.H.F. Hamel) gave them that opportunity last night.

The Wakari Drill Hall was the scene of the gathering, but the large hall had more empty benches than the 30 ratepayers present occupied.

The Mayor pointed out that the proposal for drainage had not been hurriedly entered into, for in February, 1905, Mr Thomas Mackenzie, the then mayor, had brought forward a motion affirming the necessity of making provision for the sanitary drainage of the borough area.

Afterwards a committee was set up, and competitive drainage designs were invited.

One from Mr Reynolds proposed that the Kaikorai stream should be the main sewer, but this was stopped by difficulty of riparian rights.

Another scheme was proposed by Mr Hay, to pump sewage on to the Sand Hills, but this was objected to on the score of expense.

The report of Commissioner Short dealt with Kaikorai drainage that would cost 100,000, and necessitate a rate of 3s 5d in the pound - a ruinous amount.

The proposal to drain through the Caversham tunnel was next considered, but this was opposed by Mr Slinger, the Drainage Board engineer, as the city mains would not carry the extra sewage.

After this the opinion was taken of Messrs Wales and Williams, who communicated with Home sewerage engineers, and recommended a septic tank system.

The meeting endorsed the septic tank scheme.

• The question of erecting hot salt-water baths at St.

Clair has occupied the attention of the Ocean Beach Domain Board recently, and information has been sought from St.

Kilda (Melbourne) and Napier, where such baths have been established.

A letter recently received from Napier states that the baths there have proved a great financial success.

Three baths-apart from the laying of pipes and erection of the building-had cost 30 to equip, and tickets were sold at 9d for a single bath, or 6s per dozen.

The chairman of the board (Mr Hancock) pointed out that there had been many inquiries by private speculators as to whether permission might be granted to erect hot-water baths at St.

Clair.

It was decided that the board's's Works Committee be asked to inquire into the whole matter and report.

- ODT, 5.2.1910.