BOYS' INSTITUTE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1915, 25 November 1913, Page 11

BOYS' INSTITUTE.

THE TEPID SWIMMING BATH,

Now that the required sum lias been raised, tho executive of tho Boys' Institute aro losing no time in arranging for tho plans ot tho new building, of which Mr. Win. (J ray You i" to bo the architect. In connection with tho building, it is proposed to liave a tepid swimming bath, and, as there has boon a demand on tho part of swimmers for such a hath, a proposal is being considered by which tho bath can do niado largo enough (100 ft. long by 30ft. wido) to moot their requirements. A deputation of tie Wellington Centre of the Swimming Association (Messrs. Atkins, Blair, and Shields, with tho president and secretary of the institute) waited on the Baths Committee of tho City Council yesterday, to ask them to reco'iisidor tho decision of the grant, viz., ton thousand gallons per week, and, in place of that, to givo sufficient water to fill tho bath twice per week for a period of eiglit months during tho wot season,-when wator was plentiful. It was pointed out that swimming baths were not, in ordinary circumstances, sound financial propositions, thero being only nine baths in Great Britain and Ireland ■ that' managed_ to pay working expensos. It was considered, however, that as tie institute had, in any case, to provide a bath, and attendants who looked after tho institute could also look after the bath, tho working expenses would in its_ caso bo very much reduood. Tho swimming representatives urged the claims of the institute to special consideration, for the reason that it had enoouraged tho art of swimming among boys, having taught thousands of them to swim and savo life. Mr. Shirids mentioned ono outstanding case whore an institute boy was instrumental in saying lLfo in the harbour. 'JTlio members of tho Baths Committee, who were shown the location of the now baths, assured tho deputation that thoy had every sympathy with tho institute and its dosiro to provide a proper tepid bath, and Would go fully into tho matter, with a view to seoing what could be dono.