BATHING IN THE RIVER.

Press, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5137, 20 February 1882, Page 2

BATHING IN THE RIVER.

Some days ago we had occasion to call the attention of the authorities to the practice which was being panned of bathing in the Avon during prohibited hours. We do not know whether the Domain Board or the polioe are responsible for'tbie infraction of the law, but the state of things whioh is at present allowed to go on, not only shows unpardonable negleot on the part of the authorities, but is positively disgraceful to Ohristohuroh as a city. We venture to say that in no other part of the civilised world would it be possible for oitisens, when enj >ying a walk in a publio park reserved for their recreation, to have their sense of deeenoy shocked by the sight of naked men and boys disporting themselres within a few yards of one of the principal walks. The Domain Board, some time ago, posted up notices in the park to the effect that bathing would not be permitted between the hoort of 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., but they took no steps to ensure that the regulation would be observed. It has consequently been systematically ignored, and noir the river above the bathing place is not only dosed to ladies all the morning, but practically during the whole day. The College boys bathe in the river regularly after four o'clock—the very time when it is most used for boating— and on Saturday afternoon they took com ■ plete possession of il, their bad example being followed by other boys on the opposite bank. Bathing also takes place in the northern portion of the park without any restriction whatever, and net only are ladies thus precluded from boating in that locality, but ezoursionists of the other sex are subjected to considerable annoyance as they pass the unruly crowds of naked larrikins who ooaupy the banks/ We trust the Domain Board or the polioe will take some aotion in this matter. The oourae which we are sure would commend itself most to the oitisens, whose representatives the Domain Board are, would be to absolutely prohibit bathing in the river after cay nine o'olook in the morning, and for that purpose the aid of the police should be invoked.: It is obvioaily wrong—in fact, it is absurd—that a pbblio park dedicated to the use of the oitizane should be handed over to the almost exclusive possession of a few larrikins and others who ought either to be et school or at work. There is no doubt that the large parks—snoh. as Studley Park—in the vloinity of Melbourne, have served as nurseries for many of the larrikins who now infest that city, and unless stringent measure* are taken by the authorities, ocr magnificent domain, of whose beauties we are so prone to boast, instead of being a blessing will become a o&rse to the city. In regard to the Gollege-boys, we feel sure that the head-master of the institution will see the propriety of limiting their bathing hours to those fixed by the- Domain Board in the ease of the general publio.