SWIMMING BATHS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 287, 26 March 1941, Page 5

SWIMMING BATHS

POSSIBILITIES AGAIN DISCUSSED

INVESTIGATIONS TO BE MADE

Once again the question of the installation of swimming baths at Whakatane was discussed when, at Monday's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr A. J. Canning introduced the subject and, after some discus-

si on, a committee was formed; to investigate the possibilities fully. TheTe was some conflict of opinion as to the size and style of bath desirable for the town.

In introducing the subject Mr Canning stated that the problem was one that had confronted the town for some ten years. It had been thrashed out on many occasions and, at one stage, the raising of funds required had been commenced only to lapse when no agreement could be made in regard to a suitable site* There had been an element opposed to the baths on the rounds that with the river and the sea there were all the facilities necessary for swimming. However, he stated, the principle need was for some safe place where children could be taught to swim and a small bath for this purpose, lie understood, was the aim at presents

Mr T. A. Bridger, who had inspected sites with Mr Canning, stated that there were possibilities of erecting a small bath at the Junc-

tion of Valley Road and the Gorge Road where probably with little excavation and with an inlet and outlet pipe the bath could be established at not a great expense.

A letter from Mr G, C. Southey, headmaster of the local school, stated that it was desired to obtain a bath where children could be taught swimming. He stated that the school committee intended moving to purchase a small Hume bath which would serve for initial tuition in the art. That during previous discussions there had been a conflict of opinions regarding the site for baths, and whether or not the water used be fresh or salt, was slated by the chairman, who added that it Avas very desirable that facilities be available for teaching the children to swim. He continued to say he had been engaged in an endeavour to find hot water at Whakatane, being convinced that with hot springs in districts surrounding the town it was highly probable that a bore near the town would find similar w r ater. If hot water could be found,, hd added, it would be a definite asset to the town, and if, as a result, hot baths could be installed, then there would be no difficulty in obtaining the cash as older people would b« definitely interested. He added that there would be difference of opinion in Hie public mind as the baths proposed would be only the "learn-to-swim" variety and -would not be suitable for competitions or for the use of adults.

The next speaker was Mr J. N. Bullard, who disagreed with people who considered the beach or the river suitable for learning to swim. He said that Whakatane was the Avorst equipped town for the promotion of the swimming art for its size, of which he knew. Children could not be taught to swim satisr factorily in either the surf or a tidal river. Mr Bullard continued to state that swimming was also a sport and the Bay had not produced any swimmers of outstanding merit, this being directly the result of proper facilities being unavailable. Competition made good swimmers, he said. "We have the best climate in New Zealand in the Bay," he remarked, "yet we have the worst facilities."

Support for Mr Bui lard was forthcoming from Mr Dixon who felt that to instal a Hume bath would be half doing the job. No person could use the baths other than school children, and even the young ones would not have their use during school holidays. In his opinion if baths were built they should be not on the school ground and should be of standard size. "However," he added, "the .style suggested by the school master would be better than nothing." That a suitable pool was available at the Heads was stressed by Mr Creeke. This pool was very satisfactory when the tide was in anc\ with some scooping done then it would also be safe and sufficiently large at low tidej Continued at foot of next columii)

That full size baths were necessary was the opinion of Mr G. A. Brabant, who favoured appealing for funds to the extent of two or three thousand pounds with which to erect large salt water baths. Other speakers also favoured full baths the fact that only frpm such could sufficient revenue be obtained being mentioned, while Mr Smith suggested that before anything more definite be done the search for hot water be made.

The idea of scooping the pool at the Heads was approved by Mr S. S. Shapley, who did not consider that the town could obtain a bath for some time, and his argument was assisted when M/r Creeke criticised the poor facilities it had been necessary to use for the school sports this year. Pointing out that there would be a good deal of investigation to ba made and that it was not likely that any definite move .could be made in the near future the chairman moved that a committee be appointed to make investigations and Messrs Bullard, Mahy, Dixon, Creeke, R. F. Smith and the chairman were elected.