SWIMMING BATHS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5414, 22 April 1929, Page 2

SWIMMING BATHS.

BATH COMMITTEE’S REPORT. A MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON. At the Paeroa Borough Council meeting on Thursday night the lowing report on the operations of the swimming baths since being opened on November 3 to March 31, 1929, was submitted. It was unanimously approved. “Finance.—The income received from the baths since the opening amounted to £l3B 15s 5d and the expenditure to £93 7s 2d, leaving a credit balance of £45 8s 2d. This is, we think, very satisfactory. The actual cost of running the baths for the period mentioned was £56 15s lid, which includes wages, casual labour, lighting, printing, and advertising. The balance of expenditure, £36 11s 3d,‘was paid out for extra material required, which is really a capital expenditure, apd this amount to a large extents-should not be a recurring expense next season. Therefore we consider the prospects for a larger credit balance is much brighter for the coming year. If so, the ratepayers will receive a fair amount of relief in paying the jnterest and sinking fund on the loan.

“Swimming Club.—This association has done good work, two carnivals being held during the season which were well patronised by the public and successfully run. The bath funds were augmented to the amount of £3 3s 3d by way of gate percentage. The local high school has made much use of the baths, one hour each afternoon being set aside for the children’s use free of charge. Numerous children have learned to swim during the season, and many have won their swimming certificates from the Swimming Association. The local teachers,' undei- the guidance of their headmaster, held a swimming sports carnival. This created a good deal of interest, and a Small charge for admittance was made. We have to place bn record our thanks to the headmaster 'and his staff for the donation to the baths fund of the whole of the gate money from the carnival, £4 Ils. ; “The bath was closed for the season on the 6th inst., and the caretaker’s appointment terminated on the 16th inst. The cubicles have all been locked, the light cut off, and surroundings cleaned up. The bath has been thoroughly scrubbed, and is now being painted with ?uhslaked lime. Immediately this is finished we recommend that the floor of the bath be covered with wateiH-this, we understand, will obviate any damage to the concrete floor which is liable to be caused by frosts.- ; “The grass plot in the enclosure requires a slight top-dressing with earth, and probably a little more grass seed might be sown. Also, the embankment around the iron fence should be grassed. These ate small jobs which we recommend should be done, and if time permits they could be carried out by the domain caretaker. “The following is a summary of tickets issued during the season : Adults (season), 55 ; children (season), 116; monthly, 17; casual (adults), 3253 ; casual (children), 2611 ; total, 6052. “The bath Custodian has rendered good serivce during her term if office. She has been attentive to duty, and has extended courtesy to bath patrons.” Carnival Receipts. Mr Silcock said he understood, with reference to the Swimming Club’s carnival, that another cheque of £2 8s had been paid in by the club as percentage of gate receipts of the second carnival. With ,the small matters tne committee had recommended to be completed there would be no more expenses during the winter in connection with the baths.

Mr Flatt congratulated the committee, which, he said, with the assistance of the Swimming Club had brought off a most successful year.