MIXED BATHING

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 5 October 1927, Page 6

MIXED BATHING

(To the Editor.) Sir, —1 read with interest “Mermaid’s” letter in yesterday’s issue and also the report on hours in to-day s issue of the “Star.” It seems to me a, great pity that some young ladies cannot conquer their modesty to attend mixed bathing hours with that feeling of “the more the merrier.” Be modern ! I believe the time is surely coming as lias been proved in other places, that our public baths will be open at all hours to mixed bathing and there are many reasons why it should be so. 1. Mixed bathing hours are the most popular of all, given reasonably good weather. 2. For bathers of all degrees of proficiency in swimming the baths are 100 per cent, safer. 3. For those 'vyliQ arc learning, or cannot swim at all, .it allows them to see closely, good swimmers in action and thereby learn to know the correct styles of the different strokes. No good swimmer worthy of tlie name is going to laugh at the struggling efforts of those plodding along. More likely is he or she going to take a hand and instruct the tryer in the right methods. 4. The greater number in mixed hours go there for the pure unadultered fun” they surely get and I say, sir, “this is good,” for it- lifts one to that sphere o F exciting energy, that feeling of good health and clean living, and joy in the rough and tumble comradeship of our follow beings. On a warm Wednesday afternoon go and see the crowd of happy people of all ages, from babies to; elderly mothers and fathers, swimmers and non-swimmers, tvli joining in the screeching fun which rages from 2 to 6.30 p.m. It is irresistible. Business men and women sneak. an hour off to go' and join in. What little really warm weather we get, should be taken advantage of to the fullest extent in the way that best suits the majority. Judging by the way people attend in mixed hours it would be useless to. discuss a comparison in financial returns. As in some places, in off hours, it may be a good idea to have the key available to private parties for a reasonable fee, but without the custodians attendance, whose hours are now long enough. Every little help® towards financial, success, which should be the aim .of the bath’s committee, without bowing to the wishes of the minority. I am, etc.. “LOFTY.” Hawera, October 4.