THE SURF-BATHERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16486, 27 February 1914, Page 6

THE SURF-BATHERS.

The discussion of tho question of surf-bathing and sun-bathing on the beaches at Sumner and New Brighton has not been without good results, but it is still obvious that the conditions are far from satisfactory. When definite complaints, such as the one made by the vicar of New Brighton, are brought under the notice of the authorities it is not sufficient merely ■© reply with an expression of disbelief. The great majority of tho bathers behave with perfect propri'Vy, but occasionally there are scenes on the beaches that might very well receive the attention of the police. Tho principal trouble at both the resorts, however, is the lack cf proper shelters for the bathers. There is not the slightest reason why the bathing should not be brought absolutely under control, but that will not be done until the local authorities provide adequate dressing rooms and insist on their being used. The Borough Councils, no doubt, can retort that they Dave no funds for building dressing rooms or for paying inspectors to patrol the beaches, and the reply is sound as far as it goes. But we aro inclined to think that there is still a way out of the difficulty, although it raises a rather important and perhaps dangerous principle. For the safety of the bathers themselves the bathing areas ought to be restricted, and if that were done the authorities might perhaps make arrangements with private enterprise to provide dressing-room accommodation in the safety limits. We do not suggest that permanent rights should bo granted, but that licenses should be issued annually and that the authorities should specify the conditions at the outset. At any rate no harm would be dono if the Borough Councils were to make inquiries before next season as to whether the bathing could bo satisfactorily controlled on these lines. No doubt there would be a fierce protest from tho free-beaeh advocates, but wo aro concerned just now as much with the safety of the bathers as with the prevention of impropriety, and wo believe that the bathers in general would not object to the payment of a modest fe© if it were made clear that the control were being enforced in their own interests. It is plain, to our mind, that no prog-ess can ho made on other lines until tho financial difficulty is overcome.