MACRAE BATH

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10317, 28 January 1927, Page 6

MACRAE BATH

BEACH GALA TO-MORROW

To-morrow, January 29. will be the anniversary of the foundation of the province of Auckland, and will be observed in Gisborne as a geneial holiday. The time is coming in a few weeks now when Gisborne will observe its own anniversary, the jubilee of the town and the Cook County. There is little doubt that ni the future Gisborne with its climatic, educational and business advantages, will develop into a great city, the centre of the fertile East Coast. V aikanae beach, as is well known, is one of the attractions of the town. It is considered by many visitors to be perhaps the best and tlie safest beach in the Dominion, and with the growth of the town, great improvements- must necessarily be made to this popular resort. For surfing and bathing Waikanae beach is unsurpassed, but in common with all open beaches one cannot learn to swim in tlie breakers. The late Mr Alexander Macrae recognised that fact and generously donated a site- for a public bath for" Gisborne, a hath where young and old can learn to swim, so that that knowledge', if necessary, cou’d be instrumental in saving, life n the water.. Mr Macrae’s idea was hat a bath should be constructed, to be converted into a tepid pool in the winter, so that in all seasons of the year one could enjoy the beneficial sport of swimming. With this object an energetic committee, as is wellknown, have taken the matter in hand, and are determined, to collect funds for tlie bath, which is the property of the public. For some time past a Queen carniva-l has been in iull swing, and now the campaign is nearing its completion. To-morrow a big effort is to be made by means of a carnival on Waikanae Beach, to add more funds to the movement. Under the direction of the organiser, Mr F'. Reade Wauchop, a gala on an ambitious scale will be held in the afternoon and evening. Tim promenade should present an attiactive sight with numerous stalls and side shows, while the < lnfdren will ho catered for with numerous races, sand building competitions, and a Punch and Judy show. Throughout the afternoon and evening attractive programmes will be given by the “Breezy Buskers” consisting of some .of the best talent in Gisborne and comprising, in addition ■.o Mr Wauchop, Mrs Mainland Foster, Misses Nina Murphy, Nancy P'arker, Dorothy Pearson, Clare Ross Sheriff (2). Brown, Bain (2), and Rowlands (2). and Messrs W. Bignell, H. Johns, Ross, H. and L. Cato, and Stewart. In the evening, dancing will be held and the Gisborne City Band will be in attendance.