MELBOURNE BEACHES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 22 April 1927, Page 3

MELBOURNE BEACHES.

EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS. PROPOSED £IOO,OOO PROGRAMME. It is amusing, after all the assertions in the Melbourne press that the bathing facilities at St. Kilda were inadequate, to find the council controlling that area, of the southern metropolis coming forward with as big scheme involving the expenditure of £IOO,OOO. 'The foreshore improvements planned include a promenade, running out into the water half the length of St. Kilda pier. The promenade is designed to give access to a. swimming pool, a,bout 15ft deep in parts, where, if necessary, arrangements could be made, international swimming contests could be held. Accommodation will be providedl for 5000 spectators. The pool will be still water—an essential for bin contests—and near the shore there will be another pool. So apparently the council is determined that the jibe that St. Kihln. has no baths worthy of an international contest shall no longer be justified.

The scheme reads well, and it is easy to visualise what a wonderful improvement palatial bathing facilities along the Lower Esplanade would mean. But the stumbling block will be finance. It will; probably be necessary for the council to seek the assistants 1 of the Government before any headway can be made.