THE BAIHING QUESTION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XLIX, Issue 2456, 27 March 1900, Page 2

THE BAIHING QUESTION.

Mb. Orbell deseives the thanks of the ratepayers generally for bringing forward a series of proposals regarding the regulation of bathing in the Borough. Ihe present state of things is that a ridiculous by-law of the true fot-sil type is in force. It prohibits bathing altogether from Daly's Jetty to the Borough Baths, thus preventing anyone from benefiting from the only sandy beach for miles, but reluctantly allows peisoup, properly dressed, to tumble over the sUnes between Daly's Jetty and the Pound after 8 o'clock at night and before 8 o'clock in the morning. The By-law also provides that persons may bathe at the Borough Baths at the times appointed by the Borough Council in any regulations issued by the said Council. JSow these times for bathing at the baths are marvellously arranged. After 3 p.m., ladies hiive the sole right, and it is a matter of fact that one or two now and then av;iil themselves of this pr'vilege. 'J he. hours at which bojs can bathe weie wiseiy fixed by the Solons who comprise*i the Council of 1888 between one ami three p.m., when they are

safely in school, so. that they were kept away from the water at any rate, and thus the maximum of prohibition was established. We do not wish in any way to interfere with the ladies' bathing, and quite acknowledge boys should be taught to give way # at once at any inconvenience to their mothers and sisters, but we firmly believe those mothers and sisters would just as soon have their hour fixed at 4 p.m., thus allowing the boys an hour after school is out to refresh themselves with a saltwater bath. These same boys were encouraged to join the new swimming club, on the understanding that they were free of the baths, and did so, and they were rather astonished when, attempting to avail themselves of what they cons dered their undoubted privilege, an hate custodian informed them that their behaviour was disgraceful, and that they were impertinently destroying the pleasure of the " gentler sex." The whole affair is an absurd demonstration of our being utterly behind all the rest of the world* Every where else, in all watering places, there is no restriction whatever as to time and place of bathing, except as regards proper dress. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, meet at all bathing places smd bathe together as naturally sis they drive or converse together. The restrictions are only as regards costume and dressing rooms, and of course these must be strictly observed. Apart from these two restrictions bathing cannot be too strongly encouraged, and the sooner the absurd prudery of a bygone generation is done away with the better, both for the health, morality, and general welfare of all residents and visitors.