PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9017, 2 January 1908, Page 5

PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS.

YESTERDAY'S OPENING CEREMONY.,

The public swimming baths, which have just been built in Dixon street for the borough by 4 Messrs Taylor and Hodges, at a cost of £420, vverc. formally opened by the Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine), yesterday morning, in the presence of a large crowd, including a number of ladies. The baths were designed by Mr D Morton, of the gas department, and erected under his supervision, the clerk of works being Mr. C. McDougall. All those concprned in the undertaking have carried out their duties faithfully, with the result that Mastertun is now equipped with thoroughly up-to-date swimmingbaths, which will prove of great benefit to the people in many . ways. •The basin is 80ft long by 40ft wide. The sides and bottom are concreted. The greatest depth is 7ft 6in at the east end, where a springboard is erected, and the shallow end contains water to the depth of 2ft 6in. Around -the basin and five feet distance from it, is a corrugated iron fence, and on the northern side are eight dressing rooms each sft 6in by 4ft 6in, and an open dressing shed, 40ft long. The basin is capable of holding 100,000 gallons and is supplied with water from the high pressure mains. The water is let in by means of a large tap at the shallow end, and waste pipes are provided at the other end, so that the water escapes when it reaches within about a foot of the top. The Mayor, in a brief speech, after expressing pleasure at seeing such a large number present, went on to remark thatthe opening of the baths marked an epoch in the history of Ma&terton. Like all [municipal matters it had taken a long time for the baths to become an accomplished i fact, and though it was some years I ago since he first entered the sphere of municipal politics, he.remembered that the baths question had even then been before the Council. He considered that the locality chosen was an ideal one. It was quiet and close to the town and scnool, and therefore' suited all. He paid a tribute to the ,-vork of Mr D. Morton, the designer of the baths, and the contractors, Messrs Taylor and Hodges. The latter, he said, had carried out their work to the satisfaction of the engineer and the Council. He then declared the baths formally opened, but said he would leave it for some otfier person to take the first "header!" A programme of races' was then got off under the auspices of the YVairarapa Amateur Swimming Club, and the baths were subsequently opened to the public, who largely availed themselves of the opportunity to have a "dip." The results of the races were as follow: —50 Yards Handicap—First heat: J. McLean, Bsec, 1; H. • Bridge, ssec, 2; time, 39 3-osec. Second heat: L. von Keisenberg, Ssec, 1; time, 58sec. Final: J. McLean 1, H. Bridge 2. L. von Keisenberg 3; time 39 3-ssec. W. Darvill really won the second heat easily, but he was disqualified for, having started before his proper, time. The 25 Yards Dash Race wa§" won by. W. Darvill, with H. Bridge second. A number of boys' races w-re also decided. Mr E. Richards acted as handicapper and judge, and Mr J. Scott as starter and timekeeper.