KARORI BATHS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 74, 21 December 1937, Page 12

KARORI BATHS

Question Of Closing Hours SWIMMING CLUB’S VIEW Following the “stay-in strike” at the Karori baths on Sunday and the explanation of Mr. J. G. MacKenzie, director of parks and reserves, a statement was made yesterday by Dr. N. A. Foden, chairman of the executive of the Karori Swimming Club. “While confirming the statement that the Karori Swimming Club was in nd> way connected with the ‘stay-in strike’ at the baths yesterday afternoon, I desire to observe that this action is a reflection of the dissatisfied state of mind of the swimming community of Karori and surrounding districts,” said Dr. Foden. “The director of parks' and reserves, Mr. MacKenzie, has repeated his previous published' statement that the attendant is entitled to his Sunday evening off and implies that this is a good ground for closing the baths at 5 p.m. instead of, say, 7, p.m. I would like to ask Mr. MacKenzie what the overtime pay would amount to for the extra two hours for December, January and February, say, thirteen weeks. At 5/- per hour that would be 10/- each Sunday—a total of £6/10/-. The question does not appear to have been properly considered at all. The Weather Factor. “One feels that it would not be necessary to open on Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. when a cold southerly prevails as sometimes happens, in Wellington even in midsummer, but it would not be satisfactory to leave the decision to Mr. MacKenzie. Swimmingis essentially an activity that seeks its maximum fulfilment in sunshine or warm temperatures. It is reasonable to suppose that the public would not object to early closing on days that were obviously unsuitable for the indulgence of the art. “With regard to the statement that there have been no fatalities in baths for ten years, Mr. MacKenzie implies that this is due to the fact of having a man in attendance. Might I ask him if all the attendants at all the corporation’s baths are capable of going to'the assistance of anyone in diffleulites in the baths and applying restorative measures? Can all the attendants dive to a depth of eight or more feet and bring a body to terra firma?

“This is not the true question, or at least the sole reason, which actuates the officer in charge of baths. I have reason to believe that the payment of overtime does not meet with his favour. Last season the swimming club had the use of the baths (for a fee) and no attendant was insisted on. This season Mr. MacKenzie requested that an attendant be present for whose presence the club should pay 3/- an hour overtime. Was this because there might be a fatality among the swimmers which the attendant might avert? New Policy Needed. “The time seems, to have arrived when new orientation is called for on the part of bath-controlling authorities in respect of swimming clubs and swimming facilities. Mr. MacKenzie adheres rigidly to considerations of revenue, as is evidenced by his references thereto, but few, if any, public swimming baths are placed on such a narrow basis. Bathing fatalities still occur. What, is wanted is a policy on the part of bathcontrolling bodies of encouraging the community to become swimmingminded. Any swimmer of any experience knows what a trifling tiling it 13 between supporting the body in the water and letting it sink, and how little extra knowledge and exertion is necessary to propel the body through the water. 'To those who can swim the thing is such a simple matter that it seems remarkable that so many people cannot swim.

The Karori club from the beginning of the season lias set aside one hour every Saturday morning from 9.30 to 10.30 to instruct children who cannot swim. The club, if and when it gets its club hours, will undertake to set aside a portion of these to give tuition to adults. It asks for no concessions from the corporation for its own glorification or exclusively competitive objects; its primary objects are to benefit, the community. Competitive activities are necessary and desirable to improve swimming standards and, natatorial efficiency generally. Personally, I have no desire to meet Mr. MacKenzie as lie says the club is to do this week. I have met him already. The results have not been satisfactory. The question of club hours was taken up early in the season. Christmas is almost here. The delay is not all attributable to the club,’?