RIDDIFORD BATHS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12615, 27 November 1926, Page 6

RIDDIFORD BATHS

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY AT LOWER HUIT GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S TRIBUTE One of the most distinctive functions —both from a utilitarian and from a sentimental point of view—to bo held in Lower /Hutt for a long time took place yesterday, when the new Riddii'ord swimming baths were opened by his Excellency the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) in the presence of a large gathering of citizens of the borough and of the city of Wellington. In addition to his Excellency, there were present the Minister for Health (Hon. Mr Young), the Mayor of Wellington (Mr G. J. B. Norwood), and Airs Norwood, the Mayor of Upper Hutt (Mr Angus J. McCurdy), as well as many other prominent people in the district. Tho Mayor of Lower Hutt (Mr W. T. Strand) welcomed his Excellency, and expressed pleasure and pride that he had forsaken the other calls upon his time to honour the gathering. He paid tribute to the members of the Riddiford family, whom he said had been real benefactors to the Borough of Lower Hutt. He regretted that Mr aud Mrs Vivian Riddiford were away from the country and unable to be present, but he welcomed the presence of Mr and Mrs D. H. Riddiford. Mr and Mrs Eric Riddiford, and other members of the family. In the past the Hutt river bad taken a heavy toll of human lives, and the baths, besides being of real human service, would also be an asset to the beauty spots of tho Hutt, and would enhance the value of Riddiford Park. Mr Strand thanked Mr G. A. Chapman for the work he had put in at the park, having devoted a great deal of his time to this work for many years. THREE GENERATIONS His Excellency thanked the Mayor for the welcome, and expressed regret that her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson was unable to be present through being absent from the district. The action of the donors in giving the baths to the borough had been a fine and worthy one. and if they oould find words adequate to do justice to the gift, they would doubtless express them. It was not to be forgotten that this was the third generation of this family. that had been benefactors to the borough and district. They would find their reward and their happiness in thinking of the pleasure and benefit they had conferred upon the people among whom they lived, and who would always regard, the family with the deepest esteem and respect. (Applause.) His Excellency declared the baths open, and Miss Hawkins and Mr I. Palmer dived off the board to add realism to the opening ceremony. Races for the children were then held.