NO ASSISTANCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 129, 28 February 1940, Page 5

NO ASSISTANCE

OHOPE SWIMMING POOL

COUNCIL CANNOT SUPPORT

PROJECT

Mr F. Mahy, Senr.,, waited upon the Whakatane County Council yesterday seeking assistance with the establishment of a children's swimming pool at Ohope. He said that although Ohope was one of the safest beaches in New Zealand there were no facilities for children learn ing to swim. There was a Surf Club at the beach and it was suggested that the members could teach the children to swim. It was better to teach a child to swim than rescue !it from drowning. Mr Mahy 'hought that the Council could assist with subsidised labour and plant and he had heard that it was possible to get a £1 in £8 subsidy on Centennial memorials. The Council had built dressing sheds as a memorial and he considered that the pool could be added. Mr Mahy answered several questions asked by Mr Burnett and further elaborated the scheme and his ideas. Cr McGougan rose to congratulate Mr Mahy on his efforts but could not see that the Council could contribute.

The money had been subscribed by people resident in all parts of New Zealand, Mr Mahy said, and it was not a purely local effort. Maintenance of the pool would cost verjr little and the man appointed to look after the dressing sheds could exercise supervision over it. Mr Mahy then retired and the Council discussed the matter. It was stated that the Council had spent a considerable sum at Ohope and there Avas also the question of maintenance to be considered. Supervision was another important point and there Avas a difference betAA'een playing in a pool at the beach and learning to swim as the case Avould be if the pool were established at a school.

It was suggested by one councillor that if money Avas available for any bathing pool it should be expended on the AAvakeri Hot Springs.

It was decided to advise Mr Mahy that the Council Avas unable to assist the Ohope swimming bath project .