BATHS ON SUNDAY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2692, 11 February 1916, Page 6

BATHS ON SUNDAY

COUNCIL EXTENDS THE HOURS

The matter of extending the Sunday hours at the municipal baths was introduced at last evening's meeting of the council by tbe following inclusion in the Baths Committee's report:— ' "Tho committee has been waited upon by a deputation representing swimmers who presented a petition: praying that the Te Aro Baths be opened on Sunday from sunrise to 5 o'clock, in lieu of closing at 12 o'clock noon as at present;"

"The, committee have to recommend that the request bo granted for this season only as a trial, subject to tho exclusion of children under 15 years of age,' unless accompanied by their parents; The committee have authorised the chairman, in the event of this recommendation being adopted, to arrange with tho custodian for adequate relief."

The Mayor said that he regretted that the commitee had gone so far without giving the other side a chance to express their views. What he wished to'avoid was the tendency towards making a carnival on a Sunday afternoon, He know the.y could get petitions up expressing the views of this or that side. He was not, narrow-minded on the subject of Sunday observance, believing in regarding such matters in a rational spirit, but ne was jiot one who was going out of his way to make Sunday a fete day, hut he thought that it would be the means of encouraging other means of recreation on a Sunday. He would like to limit the age to 15 instead of 14 years of age. He !:eld that the opening of the baths on a Sunday afternoon would bo ail inducenejit to stay away from Sunday School.

Councillor Fitzgerald: Make it 16

Councillor Hutcheson: Why not 17? Continuing, he said tliat the Mayor stated he was opposed to recreation 011 the Sunday—it was not recreation, it was sanitation. To refuse anyone a dip in God's good salt water on a Sunday afternoon in such weather as we had been having was highly ridiculous. If it was a swimming match or a carnival, he would say "No!" He thought that there had been quite enough Scotchbyterian views expressed—the view that prevents -a boy whistling on the Sabbath. Councillor Luckie said he did not think there should be any more objection to opening the baths 011 Sunday afternoon than there was to receiving profit from the trains to Lyall Bay, where the people lie about ill the sun in their bathing costumes. lr cleanliness was next to Godliness, 110 did not see why the baths should 110t .be open at. all times. If there was a finer thing for young people than a swim on a fine afternoon, he would like to know it. Councillor M'Kenzie said it was the duty of the City to provide healthy recreation of the kind, even if it was on- a Sunday. The recommendation was adopted, the age being limited to 15 years. The effect of this _ amendment is that the baths will this season be open from sunris.e until 5 p.m.