NEW THORNDON BATHS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 57, 29 November 1924, Page 8

NEW THORNDON BATHS

TO BE OPENED THIS AFTERNOON

A SIGN OF CITY PROGRESS

The new fresh, water municipal baths in Murphy Street, Thorndon, to be formally opened to the public at 3 p.m. to-day marks a further step forward in the progress of Wellington. Tho new bath is a pool \ 100 ft. in length by 40Jt. in breadth, running north and south. The whole of the reinforced concrete bath, from, floor to platform, is glazed in white tiles, there being an inch-deep skin of waterproof plaster .between the concrete andjiles. Along the floor run half a dozen racing ]’nes°i'n green tiles, so that without looking up a swimmer may see that he is “keeping to his own water.” There are also transverse lines abbut Bft. from either end, to warn the swimmer of the intending turn. Round the baths on a level with the water runs a scum trough, which carries away dust and anything extraneous which mav float, and which is useful as a hand-grip to those in the water. Two easily”graded flights of steps are pr<w vided at the shallow (the northern) end, and two vertical ladders at the deep end. A broad platform runs round the baths, at the back of wlucln on the western side, are rows of 45 drossing cubicles, whilst on the othei side are terraced seats for spectators. There are also shower and foot baths at the south-end of J,he structure, and patrons before entering the pool are requested to use both. The entrance and office accommodation, veiy neatly designed, are at the northern end. of the baths, and a nice little lawn has been laid out in the morth-eastern corner. Below the seats on the eastern sides is tho machinery for filling and emptying the bath, and filtering the water. Here is also room for any plant which may be required in the future io make the baths tepid ones. The baths will be opejied at 3 p.m. by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P). who will probably be attended by other members of the City Council ’Hie chairman of. the Wellington Swimming. Centre (Mr. T. Ron ay nq),. will also make a few remarks. After the speech-making, a brief programme, of water events will be offered'bv the Thorndon Swimming ■Club. These events will be open to all-comers, and a limited number of post entries will be received. The programme-will betas follows: — 100 yards’ men’s handicap, 33 1-3 yards men’s handicap, 33 1-3 yards boys’ handicap (14 years and under), 33 1-3. ladies’ handicap men’s ‘plain dive, ladies’ plain dive. Officials of the "Wellington Centre will control the sports. At 4 p.m. the public will be invited to have a dip “free, gratis, and for nothing-” There, is no charge for admission to the sports. On Sunday the baths will be open from 7 a.in. to 10.30 a.m.

Certain hours each day are eet apart for mixed bathing, when concession tickets will not he accented.

The scale of hours decided upon (and already published) will bo altered when tho schools .close for holiday.