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Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1931, Page 4

The Swimming Club is attempting a worthy community effort in the resolve to teach all the young children to hwim. It would be a surprise to find so many of the pupils at the local schools had not learned to swim. With the local facilities offering more should have been done. However the members of the Swimming Club have accepted the obligation ‘ in the matter, and if only favoured with a fair season this year, the present reproach should be removed. The matter is one of public interest in that it is advisable that the rising generation should be given the fullest opportunity to learn to swim. The local barns were constructed with that end m view, and though-they have not paid in a financial sense, if year by ycsr the rising generation learn to swim, the baths will in point of fact repay themselves over and over again. The financial aspect of the ease should not protrude unduly so long as ' the baths | are being used primarily for the benefit . of the young folk. As it is many | scores of young people have learned j the art- of swimming and no doubt the , instructors under the present scheme j will be' composed chiefly of local ox-j ponents who have qualified in the local j baths. Although the baths are municipal in ownership, it is duo ot the j Swimming Club that the practical use j :is being nrule of the convenience, and the energetic members who are moving in the matter.are to he congratulated and thanked for the success of their organisation. The baths were built f o r use and the municipality

should give the fullest encouragement to the organisation prepared to put the baths to the fullest use and service. It is to be hoped that the season will encourage the people to use the baths as fully as iiossib-le this year. Recently the weather was favourable, and a continuance of seasonable conditions will make all the difference to the success of the scheme about- to be brought into nse in order that the rising generation will he afforded the opportunity of learning to swim.