PLEA FOR BEACH BATHERS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 110, 5 November 1935, Page 8

PLEA FOR BEACH BATHERS

The appeal made by representatives of the Wellington Education Board to the Reserves Committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon for the provision of bathing sheds on the southern beach of Evans Bay is deserving of support. There is already a small shed on the spot, but it is entirely inadequate for the large crowds who use this beach in the summer and there is no separate accommodation for the sexes. In presenting the case for the children particularly, Mr. C. Blake stated that the Education Board endorsed the arguments previously used by a deputation from the Wellington Headmasters' Association. Not half the number of children were bein"taught to swim, Mr. Blake said, that should be taught. Including Rongotai College, over 2000 children would benefit by having proper dressing sheds at this point. Quite apart from any other consideration —and there are many—the importance of learning to swim is sufficient reason for suitable provision being made for necessary facilities. Wellington has many fine beaches from the aesthetic point of view, but only a few can be regarded as safe enough for children, where they could take their first lessons in swimming. Exposed beaches are not suitable in this respect. At present it is customary to bring schoolchildren in from the suburbs to the Te Aro baths for swimming lessons, but this naturally does not work very well. In Britain a city of the size of Wellington would have several swimming baths in different parts to serve the population at a convenient distance. Fortunately there is no need in Wellington to go to sucli expense. Nothing elaborate should be necessary for Evans Bay and the City Council might well make provision with the funds at its disposal.