THE GONVILIE BATHS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13524, 4 November 1911, Page 3

THE GONVILIE BATHS.

OPENING CEREMONY. The opening ceremony of the new Gon--villo public .baths took place on Thursday afternoon, in the presence of a number of members of various swimming clubs and local bodies, and an extremely large gathering of the general public. Indeed, it. seemed .as if the entire population of the progressive suburb,; had turned out to do honour to the occasion. The weather was glorious. The new baths are up-to-date in every respect., and all possible attention is paid to the comfort of swimmers. The supervision is in the capable hands of Mr Bert Olds, whose practical knowledge of things natatorial should go far towards attracting largo numbers of beginners to the baths. Mr A. G. Bignell, chairman of the Gonville Town Board, in the course of a shoi;t speech, said he was very pleased to see such a largo crowd present, and complimented the people of 'Wanganui and district on the number of swimming baths they possess, of which there are no less than eight. Nowhere else in the Dominion did any town possess so many baths us Wanganui. The day had gone past when baths were looked upon as a luxury.. Tt was within the reach of all to have the privilege of using the baths, and he hoped that the baths in Wanganui would soon bo thrown open free, at least to the children. The Gonville.,baths cost, with the artesian well, .£BOO, which was a large expenditure for a place the size of Gonville. A swimming club:had already been formed in Gonville, and it spoke well for the future of the'baths that such a club was formed. Mr'Bignell referred to the caretaker of the baths,- Mr Bert Olds, in eulogistic terms. Ho apologised for the unavoidable absence of Messrs H. M. Payne and D. McFarlanc. After a few more remarks, Mr Bignell said he had very much' pleasure in declaring the baths open to the public. A most successful function was brought to a conclusion by an exhibition of fancy swimming and diving by Mr Bert Olds, and a number of sprint races.