WARNER BATHING IN AVON

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 112, 5 February 1935, Page 3

WARNER

BATHING IN AVON

“Public Going a Bit Too Far” NEARLY A NUDIST CLUB “At the risk of being called Mrs. Grundy I want to bring up the question of bathing in the Avon,” said Mr. H. Kitson, who presided at a recent meeting of the Christchurch Domains Board. “There is a difference between an hour before sunrise and the way it is being done to-day. I admit that the ■by-law is out of date, and that the public should be allowed to enjoy the Avon, but I do think they are going a bit too far. “I saw a full-grown man of about thirty walking about in a pair of trunks at five o’clock. He had a hairy chest and hairy back. lam not a prude, but we must realise that there are people who use the park, who won’t, if that kind of thing goes on. We have got to take notice if this sort of thing goes on, on the domain slde.of the park.” There had been letters in the papers about the antiquity of the by-law, but Mr. Kitson said he thought there was a limit. If people undressed in the park and wandered about there was only a tape between that and a nudist club. The question would have to be looked into, for they could not allow citizens to be frightened to use the park. Mr. R. B. Owen asked whether .it would not be better to refer the matter to the parks and gardens committee. He did not want to prohibit bath Ing in the river. Mr. Kitson: Of course not, but there is a limit.

“I hate to be so out of date, but where is this bathing being done?” asked Mr. M. E. Lyons. Mr. Kitson explained that it was between the Armagh Street and Carlton bridges, and added that they must warn the public that they could not go about with little or nothing on. Mr. Lyons said that the river provided splendid bathing, and in hot weather it was difficult to keep the people away from it. They had only to revise the by-laws to put the matter right. He suggested that facilities should be provided by the board in conjunction with the city council. “Another point to be considered was that the river was controlled by the drainage board,” said a member. “If a shed were provided where people could undress there would be no objection,” said Mr. G. F. Whiteside. Without further discussion it was decided to investigate the by-law regarding bathing.