MUNICIPAL SWIMMING BATH

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 22 December 1916, Page 4

MUNICIPAL SWIMMING BATH

■tt» A*. THE FORMAL OPENING?

There was a fairly large gathering at the formal opening of the Municipal Swimming Baths yesterday afternoon, and froni observations respecting the utility of such c'onveniences*s(feid, tne appreciation shown of them, the local club is to be highly congratulated on the success of their efforts to have the baths again thrown topen for public use. -"'' I Mr. J. P. Aldridge, in speaking to the gathering, said complete arrangements had been concluded to have the ', baths open. Arrangements had also been made to have them placed under the management of the Swimming Club, which, he felt quite sure, would be for the benefit of the club and in the best interests of all concerned. He then called upon Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P., to formally declare the baths open. Mr. R. W. Smith thanked the committee for asking him to take part iri the proceedings. He was pleased to know that the baths had been taken on by the Swimming Club. He thought it important that such baths be managed in a capable way those who took the greatest interest in them and he had every confidence that the club would so manage them. He pointed out that such baths were almost a necessity from a health point of view. There was a lot of fun also to be got out of them. Swimming was grand sport; it would be difficult to find a much cleaner sport than bathing. He expressed pleasure at finding that our City Fathers had been able to supply the water to keep the baths going. For years past he had considered that swimming should be a part of the Education Department's curriculum; that equipment should be provided for teaching swimming by the Department. He specially stressed several cases of drowning that had lately been reported. Rescue work should be a strong feature in swimming clubs, and he hoped the people would take it up in real earnest. To assist the Taihape club to excel in rescue work, he would be pleased to give a trophy as a prize, leaving the club to formulate rules and conditions for competition. He wished the club the utmost success, and after declaring the baths open. Mr. Smith, fully dressed, dived into the water and swam the length of the bath. As he got out at the other end three hearty cheers were given. . Diving Competition.—Long g # Grubb; springboard dive, K. .Smith 1 . 50 yards Handicap..for Men.—A. C. Nathan 1. ... ~;,, Schoolboys' Race, 14 years and un-der.—-W. Pini. Married Men's Race, 50 yards.—C. E. Wilson. There were no entries for. the girls' race. • , : ~.■.... The arrangements made for the opening function, considering the short time at the disposal of the committee, were very complete, It augurs well for the success of the Club that they possess an executive who take such a whole-hearted interest in the sport. A word of special praise is due to the energetic and obliging hon. secretary, Mr. W. Hay.