SWIMMING TUITION

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 15

SWIMMING TUITION

USE OF HARBOUR BOARD'S DOCK POUT CHALMERS SCHOOL REQUEST DECLINED The question of whether school children should he permitted to learn to swim in the Port Chalmers dock was discussed by the Otago Harbour Board at its meeting last night, and it was finally decided not to grant a request that the children be allowed to use the dock for the purpose of swimming tuition. When a letter froih the Port Chalmers School Committee asking for permission to use the dock for the purpose of swimming tuition for children of the school was read the chairman (Mr W. Begg) said that that was asking too much. At all times the dock was half full to a depth of some 15ft of water. Mr A. Campbell, M.P., pointed out that the new dock was only full to about sft. Mr J. W. Munro_, M.P., moved that the request be declined. It was a pity, said Mr T. Scollay, because the dock was now largely used for swimming purposes. At a recent function in connection with the presentation of a medal to a Port Chalmers' boy, who had saved two lives, said Mr Campbell, the value of swimming was stressed. All _ schools should have compulsory swimming tuition, and he was of the opinion that the board should encourage swimming lessons under the tuition of experts. He suggested that the matter be referred to the harbour master. Mr Begg said that this was a matter for the tuition of children, but how were they to learn to swim in sft or 6ft of water? Mr Campbell: That is tho xighlt place to learn. Mr F. H. D. Sharpe said he could not agree with tho request. At certain business houses notices were displayed to the effect that there was 1 no admittance unless on business.” The same applied to the use of the dock. There was always the danger of children falling down the dock. The local authority should be consulted in the matter. " Could not . the water _ level be lowered? asked Mr R. Harrison. There would he competent teachers in charge of the children. He contended that it would be better to learn to swim in the dock, where there was no flow of water, than in the open. He moved as an amendment that the request be granted for one mouth’s trial. Mr T. Scollay: I take it the board will not be responsible for the safety of the children. Mr R. Duncan said he had intended to move on the same lines as Mr Harrison. When the hoard had the chance to assist such a cause without cost to itself the request should be 1 granted. As a further amendment, he moved that the chairman (Mr Begg), tho deputy-chairman (Mr J. B. Waters), and Mr Scollay get in touch with the school committee regarding the matter. The board would be well advised to meet the committee, and if it was satisfied that the idea would be a success it should give it a trial. Mr R. S. Thompson: I hope the hoard will not turn this request down flat. The dock is an ideal spot for the teaching of swimming, and it seeiiis unnecessary that swimming facilities should have to be procured elsewhere when they are already in existence. With the consent of The seconder, Mr Harrison withdrew his amendment. Mr F. E. Tyson moved as a further amendment that the matter be held over until the board obtained further information from the harbour master. That officer was against tho idea, and the hoard should know his reasons. In answer to a question, Mr Begg said that the dry dock must of necessity he kept dry when not in use. On the other hand, the other • dock must be kept full. Later in tho meeting, when the harbour master was present, tho request was declined. A request from the Port Chalmers Marine Band for the use of the dock for a swimming tournament on March 12 was granted.