SEA BATHING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16487, 28 February 1914, Page 2

SEA BATHING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —If there is anyone in Christchurch who should (for financial gain) raise a cry against surf and sand-bath-ing .(using at a tool “ immbde&y,” “indecency” and “mixed bathing”), I think it should be the doctors, for they know there is much good health gained by surf and sun-bathing. So far I have refrained from penning my protest against the sundry attacks made on surf-bathers through your columns, thinking the writers common fanatics. However, I cannot let the statement of the Rev H. H. Mathias pass without comment. In the first place, I do not think anyone should rush into print and circulate such a highly improbable charge as has the reverend gentleman against the surf-batliers generally, and when questioned on the matter to find it was merely hearsay. He should have remembered the parable of the man who built his house on the sand.

A grave charge such as was made must have been worthy of fuller investigation, as Mr Mathias would not think of his flock as guilty of going on the foreshore and looking for evidence, but would expect them to take his word through the “ Church News.”

Again I would like to know what the reverend gentleman sees which is objectionable about any of the surfbathers, whether in the surf or on the. sand. I am afr.aid imagination has a lot to do with it. Some people unfortunately see much evil where others fail. The costumes which are worn at Brighton are the “regulation” costumes, used at all swimming carnivals by a most respectable body of men. They have been in use many years and if exception was possible complaint would have been made long ago. The time has passed when the “ only learned ” were, allowed to think for the multitude. People of the present age think and act a little for themselves, so we have the fair sex taking to the water and sand with as much enthusiasm as the men. These ladies are “ real ” ladies, not productions of the hair and face specialist or the dressmaker. These are the women the bathers are proud of and wflo will make the core of the British race. I have been a constant bather at Brighton this and other seasons, and have been on the beach early and late, specially on Sunday. T have not seen anything which could be taken exception to and have not seen or heard of the police warning adult bathers for acts of immodesty. Great crowds journey to New Brighton on Sunday, some to have a breath of sea air, but most (by the appearance of the waterfront and pier) to watch the bathers. Out of the crowd I am pleased to say there is only a few who see harm in the bathing. These “ modest ” peonle don’t know thq joys of surf-bathing and never intend to try them—for various reasons.—l am. etc., EVIL BE, Etc.