TEPID BATHS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 128, 26 November 1938, Page 8

TEPID BATHS

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —One of the most essential needs of the City of Wellington is a central tepid swimming bath, and it is indeed pleasing to read that towards this end a motion has been passed by the City Council authorising plans to be prepared and a loan poll to be taken within the next two years. Citizens will warmly congratulate the civic authorities on this important decision towards the fulfilment of a very essential service, the need for which has been strongly advocated by the swimming officials, medical profession, and many leading citizens on numerous occasions. This agitation, no doubt, arises from the continued loss of life from drowning, greater than the loss of life from motor .accidents, a loss to this Dominion which cannot be estimated in terms of money. Last year a learn-to-swim week was instituted and a certain measure of success was achieved. The aim should be to teach every boy and girl to swim, and swim proficiently before leaving primary school. This can Qnly be achieved by having at the disposal of schools facilities for teaching and coaching throughout the whole year. However, the decision of the council, although a most important one, is by no means the final word on the subject of the provision of these baths; the ratepayers have the final say. It is in their power to endeavour to prevent the enormous loss of human life from drowning by giving their decision in favour of suitable and essential facilities for the teaching of the art of swimming. Certain sections of the community favour baths in all suburban areas, but these, while very desirable, are not essential. They would only be a duplication of the present service, available for use during the four summer months, and be idle for the remaining eight months, a further definite burden on the ratepayers. As a ratepayer I accord my fullest support to the proposal to establish central tepid swimming baths for the city, which it so badly needs, and trust that all ratepayers will approve the council's action as an important step towards fulfilment of the aim.—l am, etc., SUBURBANITE.