BATHS IN DUNEDIN

Evening Star, Issue 22880, 11 February 1938, Page 3

BATHS IN DUNEDIN

PO9E FACILITIES FH SWIMMERS At the meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association last night several speakers referred to the poor facilities in Dunedin for beaching children to swim. Mr W. A. Jenlkins, who was in the chair, said • that it would have been noticed that lately the number of drowning fatalities had exceeded those on the road, and had averaged about seven a week. This was due to a large extent to the educational authorities not being able to teach the children to swim. In Dunedin such activities had to be confined to only one class at each school, and that lasted for only one half-hour period in the week. In Christchurch, he said, there were 48 public baths, but in Dunedin there were only three open to _ the public. The centre had been agitating for some time for more facilities for teaching children to swim, and the City Council had promised its assistance in the matter. When a move was eventually made it was hoped to provide two pools in a.central position and a smaller pool at each end of the city for the use of school children. Mr S. Brown pointed out that the centre had not made much progress as a result of the deputations to the City Council. Several speakers were of the opinion that the matter should be kept steadily before the council, as children were using every mudhole they could get into this summer. It was stated that the old Industrial School baths at Lookout Point were to be cleaned out for the use of the Concord and Mornington Schools. Mr G. G. Peat suggested that a letter be sent to the Hon. F. Jones, as the member for Dunedin South, asking his assistance in having the baths in that district cleaned out. At the St. Clair baths the valve was leaking badly, and the bottom was in a bad state from slime. The City Council should be written to_ pointing out these facts. It was agreed to adopt the suggestion. It was also agreed to communicate with the Hon. F._ Jones in connection with the renovation of the Indusrial School baths and throwing them open to the public.