The Globe. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1877.

Globe, 31 January 1877, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1877.

Some days ago a number of people were prosecuted, before the Resident Magistrate for having bathed at Sumner, in view of a public place, during prohibited hours. As a matter of course, the ingredients of the offence were easily established, the faets not being disputed, but to a certain extent, ignorance of the law being pleaded. It is a pity that the custom which prevails in wateringplaces at home of bathers providing themselves with suitable costumes for bathing purposes, should not have been adopted here. To all intents and purposes Sumner may be recognised as the favorite sea-side of the city people, where, in the summer season especially, numberß are wont to resort, to enjoy the cool breezes and a refreshing dip into the sea. Yet, so far as the evidence adduced in the Magistrate's Court goes, it would appear as if the practice in that locality was, for bathers to exhibit themselves battling with the salt element in the same costume which they wore on the day on which they were born. Now, the law on this particular point is very clear, and it applies equally to those who frequent the viciuifcy of the sea beaches as to the people who would utilise —say, the Avon or the Heathcote river for swimming purposes. It provides that, during certain hours of the day, embracing nearly the whole daylight even at this season of the year, any person bathing without a dres* within view of a public road or of a public place, shall be liable to severe punishment. But, as the comfort as well as the health of the community, demands that opportunities shall be allowed to people so desirous of disporting themselves in the water, so long as garments sufficient to secure decency be worn by the bather, he is quite at liberty to do as he like in the matter. Of course, within their jurisdiction, Municipal bodies have the power to enact bye-laws restricting people from making use of certain parts of the rivers under their control. "We are at a loss to conceive how it is that the good old English custom in the matter of bathing dresses, so long adopted at home, should not also have been found desirable here. Mr Mellish the other day made some very pertinent remarks on the subjects, which we fully endorse. How simple and easy — and we may say inexpensiv e—for any one wishing to benefit at any hour of the day from the bracing effects of a plunge into the sea, to provide himself with the calecon or trunk which for years past has bsen affected by the sea-side frequenters in England. We were glad to notice that at the new Public Baths, lately erected by the City Council, several young men have already set the fashion, although there, unfortunately, the wearing of a certain amount of clothing iB not made compulsory. We would strongly urge upon the habitues of the Sumner Beach to follow their example, and perhaps a better tone than that at present existing there may be the resmlt. ■*.