Hokitika Swimming Baths

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1923, Page 2

Hokitika Swimming Baths

R LOI’L XING YESTERDAY.

| Tho municipal baths were reopened yesterday in the presence of a large attendance of the public and a great number, of votaries of the natatory art: The new water supply 'VaS voted a great success. The electrically driven pump worked very steadily tor two or three hours dating the afternoon to afford

the visitors an opportunity of witnessing the How of water. The artesian well is about Bi feet deep, and there I is never less than four feet of water at the bottom. Tlte reservoir of water 1 rises to about six and a half feet 1 when the tide is in. The bottom layer of the well is rt light beach gravel drift, through which the water flows

steadilv. The pump yesterday was delivering into the bath 80 gallons ol good, clean water per minute, or upwards of -5.000 gallons per hour. All tile afternoon the hath was over-flow-ing at the outflow, and at the end of the afternoon’s sport, the water in the hath remained as clear as as the beginning, notwithstanding that there were scores of bathers disporting in the water all the afternoon. Among the visitors during the day were several citizens, all of whom expressed pleasure and delight at the success of the water .supply. At 3 o’clock. Mr D. *h Evans, Chairman of the Swimming Club, declared the baths re-opened. In doing so. Mr Evans expressed tile pleasure and gratification they would all fool at seeing such a splendid supply of water under command. He said the Club had been striving to have the baths re-opened for the benefit of tile young folk who he hoped would use the h'ths freely, hut not abuse them. The supply of wilier was all that they could wish for, tilld the baths would remain well supplied with water for the season. The thanks of the Club were due to the Electric Bower Company for the gencrous It* Ip given in effecting the instnllation and to the other friends who had helped. The Club i t sol I owed its exist-nee to the peisonal a (Torts of Mr A. n. Lawn who had assisted the Club through its days of struggle. The Chairman hoped the Club was now on the high way to .success. The school children would have the free use of the baths on tluee afternoons per week after school hours, and the Club looked to the parents for financial support at the carnivals and sports meetings which would he held. Mr Evans concluded by declaring the baths icupened and wishing them long and useful service for the public good. At the call of the Chairman three hearty cheers were given for the Kanieri Eleetr it- Hover Coy., w hich had helped to make the occasion the success ft was. Subsequently, Mr (.awn organised a number of juvenile races and diving competitions, in which the lads and !j,Hsies rook an active part, and a very pleasant hour or twos sport resulted. I'he parents and others who were firesent all ex pressed their delight at the installation of a good water service which rendered the baths of practical service, at the same time affording useful pleasure for those participating in the swimming exercises. Doling the afternoon a suggestion was made to provide an installation for a supply of tepid water, so that the season and use of the baths can open earlier and extend late'. It was said by securing the right plant as opportunity offered, the cost need not he costly, and the result would he very satisfactory to users of the baths. It is the intention of the management to organise a night carnival at an early date, to he followed by a competition meeting for the creation of records for the local baths.