SWIMMING BATH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4414, 15 May 1922, Page 2

SWIMMING BATH.

Rather a cool subject for the month of May, but. nevertheless not inappropriate ; it is generally agreed that a public swimming bath in Paeroa would be a fine thing, especially for the school children. This matter was discussed at a recent meeting of the Paeroa District High School Committee, and it was resolved to take steps towards raising the necessary funds. There are three or four possible sites, including borough reserves, and if ope of these reserves could be utilised, and a substantial subsidy secured from the Education Board, then the people of Paeroa, with their habitual generosity, will not see the project fail for want of funds. As one member of the Committee remarked, a circus could come into Paeroa and secure £4OO in one night, ly all of which was taken out of the town; surely the people could raise a similar or larger sum for so desirable an object as a swimming bath I Swimming, like boxing, brings into play every muscle of the body, and is therefore a splendid means of building up. the physique. And there have been instances all too painfully frequent in Paeroa where both children and adults have been drowned in the local rivers, but who would not have lost their lives had they been able to swim. During the summer months many mothers are caused no end of worry on account of their children bathing in the various creeks and river shallows—and not necessarily learning to swim, but running a grave risk of being drowned. With a proper graduated swimming bath the children could bathe under supervision, and be taught to swim, the danger of accident being reduced to a minimum. It is too late when the summer comes round again to talk of a swimming bath. Now. is the time to take the matter energetically in hand, and by the corning spring a swimming bath* may be in being. The object is as desirable as any that has ever been put forward in the town,, and will no doubt meet with generous support from the citizens when a call is made for financial assistance. ,