SCHOOL BATHS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 290, 2 April 1941, Page 5

SCHOOL BATHS

QUESTION OF WATER SUPPLY DECISION OF COMMITTEE At a meeting of the W hakatane School Committee held last week the question of installing swimming baths at the school was discussed. It is hoped to obtain sufficient funds to purchase and ercct a Hume bath, which is suitable for teaching children to swim. It is of three feet in depth. The question of water supply was one which held up the discussion, and it was decided by the committee to ascertain from the Borough Council if it would be possible to -obtain the necessary water from the town supply, and if so then the matter of obtaining finance would again be considered. Position Outlined 1 . The headmaster (Mr C. C. Southey) outlining the position as he saw it regarding the baths stated that the teaching of this subject school had been il the construction of the swimming pool in the gorge during the 19383ft season. This pool was constructed at very little expense by the combined efforts of the school and the Borough staff. Instruction was given by Messrs F. Wederall and De Lacey and a total of some 90 certificates gained. The 1939-40 season was so cold that the pool was not used. Children were tested for certificates at the old wharf site but the number gained dropped consider-, ably. Certificates Gained.

This season lias been much warm- • er and the pool has again been used regularly. One hundred and fivo certificates have been gained leaving 18 in the classes S3 to Form II who cannot swim. It is recognised that a large percentage have not qualified for distances above 50yds. Unfortunately there are serious -objections to the use of the pool. In the first place the water is cold -and it can be used for limited periods only. There are no dressing facilities there and this caused delay. From the time the children leave the school until they return is at least 45 minutes, about twice -as long as would bi; the case of a pool were located in or alongside the school grounds. This loss of time is looked on as serious.. Suggested "Pound" Site. A suggestion to improve matters Is to construct a swimming pooT lit the "pound site." This would be a •considerable improvement as dressing facilities could be provided and a more satisfactory pool constructed Probably the water would be warm-, cr, but whether the temperature would rise sufficiently is doubtful. "The loss of time to reach the pool Would be lessened slightly but "would still be considerable.

However, if it is decided to construct such a pool the school will lend all assistance in its power as it should afford facilities for prac-. lice for those able to swim. Even if such provision is made the head> master still favours the construction of a Hume pool at the main •school grounds, Goulstone Road. Main Body of Learners. When the new additions are completed Std 1 will be at this school •and it is in this class and in Std 2 that the main body of learners exists. Further the disposal of used water presents no difficulties there. As the walls of a Hume pool are •above" the ground level and the pool 'is small and shallow the water temperature should be satisfactory and as the pool would be i.'yjfhe school grounds loss of time reduced to a minimum. .***"

Hume Pool Favoured. Objection to a Hume pool has been raised on the grounds that it Is too shallow to allow for the teaching of swimming. The headmaster did not pretend to be an authority on this subject but submitted a report published In the Education Department's Official Gazette. This was prepared bv Mr P. A. Smithells, Director of •Physical Education for the whole Dominion and advocated the small 'bath of even depth in preference to larger types. With the assistance of the promised subsidy the raising of sufficient funds should not present much difficulty. However, before this (Continued at foot of next column)

could be commenced the supply of water must be assured and no feasible source could be seen except from tlie Borough supply whose deficiencies were recognised. No step forward could be made. until this matter was decided. If a favourable reply was given he favoured the calling of a public meeting to discuss ways and means. A Mixed Reception. Mr Southey stated that he had received a letter from the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce asking him to attend its next meeting and outline his proposals. As he was unable to attend he had forwarded a letter which apparently had received a mixed reception and given rise to considerable misunderstanding.

His suggestion did not conflict in any Avay with the proposal lo erect swimming' baths in Whakatane which had the hearty support of the school. A Hume pool had nothing to do with such a project; it was simply to enable the younger children to be taught swimming under the simplest and safest conditions.

The pool he proposed would need about 12,000 gallons of water and he suggested tliat it should be emptied weekly. Based on one recently crected at Te Aroha the cost should not exceed £140. The Education authorities had granted a subsidy cf £60.