NIGHT BATHING

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 51, 28 February 1918, Page 7

NIGHT BATHING

FLOOD LIGHTING AT DEVONPORT

A new enterprise in the nature of a strong beam light for flood-lighting the waters adjoining the Windsor Parade at Devonport. for the safety and convenience of swimmers, and the new bathing sheds on tho foreshore, were officially declared open for use by the Mayor (Mr. Jas. Ilencrorson) last evening. Special interest wa- attached to the demonstration of flood-lighting, the innovation being witnessed by some 2000 people. Mr, Henderson briefly addressed the gathering. He understood that it would be the first trial of flood-lighting in the Dominion. Already it had been most favourably commented upon. The cost of the installation to the borough was £.15, and the estimated cost of lighting was less than 3d per hour. In respect to the opinion held by some that the Council had been spending loan money, he assured them that it was not so. that all improvements effected in the borough during the past IS months had been made possible by revenue. Respecting improvements on the foreshore he said that it had long been fnlt that! the accommodation thereon was no credit to the borough, consequently the Council wisely decided to make a district advance by erecting bathing sheds. One distinct advantage as a result thereof, was the special provision for boys and girls, apart from the accommodation provided for adults. The work was. uractically wholly accomplished by the Council's employees, the engineer (Mr. F. <r. Bourke) drawing up the plans, and the workmen erecting the buildings at a cost of i.IOS 0/9. All the sheds have electric lignt installations to suit the convenience of night bathers.

When the projector was switched on the beam of light extended on the water for 100 yards by 40 yards, leaching the deeper portions of the bay. Some 100 bathers took the water. During the evening the Third Auckland Regimental Band discoursed v lively pre*gramme of music. The two lights are fitted to a pole, some few yards in from the shore, and have a lighting capacity of nOO candle power each, which when concentrated i runs into thousands.