THE NEED FOR NEW BATHS

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 71, 25 March 1922, Page 16

THE NEED FOR NEW BATHS

(By "Header.")

The final distances of the school boys' and girls' ohampionships havo been decided, and in each ease the winners of the first distances were also successful in the. winning events. Bridson, tho winner of the boys' races, swam well throughout and shows promise, and if he pays attention to his coach should do well at the game. Being still very young and likely to be of the right physical build, he has plenty of time to improve, and provided ho dovotos tho necessary attention to his stroke, he has a' good chance of representing his province in the junior championships in the Beasons to come. Jackeon, who swam second to him in all thei distances, has a fairly good stroke, but is on the small side, though ho should also improve. Miss Taylor, the school girl champion, won all four distances in ai fairly comfortable manner, Miss Wallace acting as runner-up in three instances, and Miss Low in another. None of the young ladies, however, is up to the standard shown in other centres. Incorrect style was sadly in evidence in thoir events, and they should place themselves under some reliabio coach, who would quickly work an improvement in them, and correct their faults. Bridson was successful in gaining two standards, and Miss Taylor one. The disappointing fea: ture of the races, was •the smallnumber of contestants, and considering tho hundreds and hundreds of children who daily attend the schools in Wellington, the fact that there were only three competitors in most of tne events gives cause for some deep thinking. It has been recognised all along by those controlling swimming that efforts must be , made to improve the standard in our schools, and l "numerous propositions have • been -put 'forward towards that end and brought into use, chief of which was the offer of many swimmers to give their time and services as' coaches. It wits hoped by this that the improvement looked for would eventuate. There is a tendency in some quarters to lay blame on the local centre for being somewhat dilatory in the matter, but such is not the case, and the writer has every reason'to'believe that tho idea mentioned above has been put into force, but with what results ? Very, very few have availed themselves of the opportunity of improving their styles, and in nearly all cues where the information has been volunteered, it has been met with a cold indifference, and "can't be bothered" sort of attitude. Discouraging, surely, to anybody excepting a very keen enthusiast, as it would seem that the apathy of the children themselves is one of the reasons that the improvement desired is not being obtained. Be that as it may, the chief reason,. to "Header's" mind, is the utterly inadequate provision made for suitable bathing facilities for the children, and it is obvious, from jnany points of view, that until such provision is made, swimming, its encouragement, and the benefits to be obtained from it, can never reabh the high plane it occupies in other large cities of'flie Dominion and,in other parts of the world. Whilst readily admitting that the Te Aro baths are probably the finest open-air i baths in New Zealand, who can, by any stretch of imagination, say that they are sufficient for the needs of a city with a population bordering on '» hundred .thousand? The paramount need at the present time is a larg* salt water tepid bath, and it is refreshing to know that the local centre has been giving the matter attention, and may shortly be able to put forward something concrete in the direction indicated. Municipalities in other large centres have long since recognised the value of up-to-date tepid baths, especially salt water, and have had no need to regret their enterprise, as in all cases they are paying for themselves handsomely and are immensely popular institutions. It has always been a source of wonder to local skimmers why this city is so poorly off for swimming baths, especially remembering that. in a large number of towns throughout the-..Dominion.i schools have their own baths', or are as well served with public baths. What have the local school committees been doing in the matter ? Practically nothing, and yet it is surprising at what little cost a baths may be erected, if the energy and willingness are there, and does riot the Government still provide a £1 for £1 subsidy towards the cost of erecting such baths ? Apart from what the local centre may do in the matter, it would seem that in the past the civio, authorities and school committees haye been somewhat lacking in their perception as to what the younger generation require to fit them for their life's battle —a strong and healthy bodymade possible only by the erection of sufficient swimming pools whereby the children may have the opportunity of deriving to the full the immense benefits that this recreation gives—a recreation, declared by medical authorities the world over, aY having no equal for all-rouridi exerciser and health, and greater still, ohe; that lends' itself to the acquiring of a knowledge that has, on innumerable occasions, been the means of saving life. The time is opportune for a big move, and'if the Empire City is not to belie ite name, the people belonging to it ghould see that "'something is ' done, arid done quickly, to remedy the position as it now exists. , •■_.■ ... '