PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3715, 10 November 1927, Page 2

PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS.

OFFICIALLY OPENED. Fine weather prevailed for the official opening of the public swimming baths yesterday afternoon, and there was a large attendance of the local and district public, to witness the event. Messrs Hobson (Mayor), Jenkinjs (Town Clerk), and Cr. Falloon represented the Levin Borough Council, while the Shannon Borough Council was represented by Cr. Hyde, who apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Mayor. The contractor (Mr. Harvey, of Levin) and architect (Mr. M. R. Varnliam, of Levin) were also in attendance. The Mayor (Mr. M. E. Perreau) in officially opening the baths, apologised for the absence of Mr. F. A. Mason (headmaster of the local District High School), whom, he said, had taken a keen interest in the effort by which money was raised to erect the baths. He was pleased to see representatives of Levin and Shannon local bodies present and extended a welcome to . them. Mr. Perreau then outlined the history of the baths, mentioning that the money Jiad been raised by public effort as a result of which no rate would be struck for the baths by the Council and this reflected great credit on the residents of Foxton and was indicative of their generosity. A swimming club had been formed and he believed the right men were at the head of it, and that it would soon be a live body. On behalf of the Council, he thanked the queen candidates for their co-operation in holding a queen carnival, their parents, the committees, and all those who assisted_ with the carnival. He congratulated the builder (Mr. Harvey), and the architect (Mr. Varnhani), on the fine woi*k they had put into the baths, and Mr. Trueman (Town Clerk), for his in that connection. The Council and public were, he was sure, perfectly satisfied, and proud of the job they had made of the baths. Messrs Harvey and Varnham returned thanks for the remarks made by the Mayor and Messrs Hobson and Falloon congratulated the people of Foxton on their enterprise and progress. Mr. J. K. Hornblow, representing the Wanganui Education Board, congratulated those responsible for the erection of the baths and referred to their neecesity in a community from an educational point of view. Every child, he said, should be taught to swim and instructed in the ar.t of life saving. In the past the Mamuvatu River had taken a heavy toll of young lives and had always been a source of worry to parents whose children visited it for, swimming purposes. With the erection of the baths that worry was relieved from the shoulders of the parents and if the baths were the means of saving only one life, then they justified the expenditure incurred in their erection. He hoped that satisfactory arrangements would be made whereby the school children could regularly visit the baths and be instructed in swimming and life-saving. The Mayor then very sportingly donned bathing attire and opened the baths by taking a “•header” off the spring board amid loud applause. A sports programme during the afternoon resulted as follows: , 50 yards, men: G. Hirini 1, G. Perreau 2. Plate diving: G. Hirini 1, T. Perreau 2. Schoolboys 25 yards : Moore 1, Wanklyn 2; neat diving: E. Wlanklyn 1, T. Perreau During /he afternoon the visitorswere entertained to afternoon tea at Fairey’s, where Mrs. Pearson acted as hostess in the unavoidable absence of the Mayoress (Mrs. Perreau). .