SWIMMING BATHS A NECESSITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1763, 11 December 1917, Page 2

SWIMMING BATHS A NECESSITY.

ALTHOUGH Foxton has a river at its back door, it does not possess swimming baths. We have suggested that baths could be erected on the river hank by enclosing a portion of tlie river and erecting dressing sheets. It is es.snnjiijl that every physically fit boy and girl should be taught to swim. There is no lifesaving or swimming club here, and the Boating Club is moribund. Foxton’s only hope of doing something is for the Borough Council to take the matter in hand, and we believe the Harbour Board would do all in its power to assist the Council to this ppd. The boating club site is suitable for bpths, and the river intake there could be so enclosed as not to interfere with shipping or (rathe. To .erect a safety fence, spring hoard apd dressing shelters would cost probably £l5O, and the Council could rely upon the public to contribute at least half of

this sum. A small annual fee to the Council for the privilege of using the conveniences would willingly be paid by numbers of adults, and the school children could be arranged for through the School Committee. If a portion of the river was so fenced off, parents would be relieved of anxiety, as the youngsters would be kept within safe bounds from the treacherous current of the river. There have been several bathing fatalities at the spot now used, and we desire to safeguard against such accidents in future. If we wait for a high pressure water supply to be inaugurated before establishing swimming baths, the river will claim its toll. There are no serious obstacles in the way of carrying out the suggestions we have made, and we sincerely hope our worthy Mayor, who, by the way, promised to give this matter attention some time ago, will give the subject his careful consideration.