THE HAMILTON BATHS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2375, 29 September 1887, Page 2

THE HAMILTON BATHS.

The importance of a knowledge of swimming is so manifest and yet so little recognised that perhaps some Hamilton burgesses have been staggered at the expenditure on the baths. No doubt they wore badly and and most extravagently designed,,.but that is the fault of the architect, and hot of the baths nor the Borough Council. For the past year we, had a well qualified instructor, but ins efforts have been practically nullified by putting the baths in such a position that one-third is dry land, onethird has 1 to 3ft, of water, and tho rest is nowhere deeper than sft. The caretaker proposes that tho baths should be extended to double the present width. The length is right enough, but not more than three, if so many, can swim in the present baths at one time, others could certainly not turn. By the proposed plan of enlargement the present above.water boarding would be removed, while the grating below water would be retained, thus making a well-defined distinction between swimmers and non-swimmers. Tho outside piles, too, need not be within feet of tho distance t|;ey are at present, where their double object, judged from tho size and closeness of tho piles, seems to be to exclude both sharks and whitebait. A few dressingrooms erected on the southern side of tho baths would also be advisable.