THE SWIMMING SEASON.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1921, Page 5

THE SWIMMING SEASON.

POPULARISING THE BATHS. REDUCTION IN PRICES. Some suggestions to make certain concessions to encourage the public to patronise the municipal swimming baths were made ft last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council. A reduction in the price of season tickets was > ecommended by Inspector Day, and he proposed that for this season the charges shr.uld be 10s for men and 7s 6d for women, as against 15s and 10s as formerly. The inspector stated that it had been the practice to issue half-season itekets for 10s (men) and 7s 6d (women), but the majority of the people did not buy full season tickets, as the earlier part of the season was generally interrupted as far as swimmiwg conditions were concerned. He therefore proposed that the rates now ruling as half-season be adopted for the whole season charges. He did not think the council gained much by the former practice. „ . . “We wish to make the baths pay,” said Cr. J. Brown in supporting the reduction. He also proposed that the council should advertise the baths by placing a small notice containing hours and charges in the tramcars. Another idea which he thought worthy of consideration was the issue of conces a ’OD tickets on the trams for patrons of the baths. He pointed out that as the baths were at one end of the town they were not of much use to Fitzroy people, or to residents at the breakwater. They might be induced to patronise the baths if concession tickets were issued on the trams between 6 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. daily, at a flat rate of, say, 6d. The tramways manager (Mr. R. H. Bartley) pointed out that people who wished to go to the baths in the early morning could obtain a concession by using workmen’s tickets. A person did not necessarily have to be a workman in. order to use these tickets. Anyone could avail himself of the privilege, providing the first ride was taken before eight o’clock in the morning, and the return trip could be made at any time on the same day. The suggestion to reduce the charges was adopted, and the proposal in regard to the concession tickets on the trams was referred to Mr. Bartley to confer with Crs. R. A. Large and J. Brown, who were appointed a baths committee.

The general manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) informed the meeting that the matter of tram concessions had been brought up by him some years ago, but nothing had resulted.

Mr. P. A. Matheson, now of Auckland, who was formerly in charge of the baths, was appointed caretaker for rhe ensuing season.