"BREAKING THE ICE.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 22 October 1927, Page 13

"BREAKING THE ICE.”

SEASONAL PREPARATIONS. NOTES BY “NARWHAL.” Tlio opening of the Municipal Baths at Haw era on Thursday, following a three weeks’ spell of mild weather conditions, heralded the advent of the 1927-28 swimming season and already many enthusiasts, some of whom “broke the ice” in the rivers of the district some weeks ago, are commencing training in preparation for the first of the club contests. The date of the club’s official opening has not yet been decided, but will be among the matters to be considered at the annual meeting, which will probably take place this week. Last season gave evidence of the growing popularity of the swimming sport throughout the district, and with anything like a good summer another bright season may be confidently expected. _ The extra accommodation provided by the new dressing shed at the baths should prove a welcome feature this season, and with the general renovation work completed this weeK should assist greatly in maintaining the popularity of the institution.

MIXED BATHING CONTROVERSY.

The recent controversy concerning the mixed bathing problem has afforded an indication of the keen interest taken in the sport and, in arousing interest at such an early period, the amendment of the time-table, whether it is finally adjusted or not to meet the request of a section of lady objectors, has served a good purpose. The petitions received by the Council this week gave evidence that the alterations made by the Baths Committee in accordance with the custodian’s recommendations, are approved by a strong section as an offset to the dissenting element. While the latter’s prejudice against visiting the baths during “mixed” hours is entitled to consideration, as was urged uy the Mayor and admitted by other councillors, the opinion given by the chairman of- the Baths Committee (Mr W. G. Simpson) that neither sex has a claim to exclusive rights during the half-holiday sessions calls for serious reflection. Perhaps a way out of the difficulty would bo to cater for those who, under the existing arrangement, cannot make use of the separate hours, by providing for ladies and men separately during alternate days in the early morning and evening sessions, with the exception of the half-holiday evenings. By opening at 6 instead of 6.30 a.m., ladies could be given until 7 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and men on corresponding hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. In the afternoons ladies’ hours might be arranged from 5 to 6 on Mondays and Thursdays, and similar hours for men on Tuesdays and Fridays. This would have the effect of providing family hours from 7 to 8.30 a.m. daily, frbm 6 to 7 p.m. on four days, in addition to 2 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 1.30 to 6.30 p.m. on Saturdays. Such an alteration would be a generous concession on the part of the Baths Committee, whose amended programme—as was evidenced in the support given last Wednesday to a hurriedly prepared petition, when over 100 names were subscribed in an afternoon —was adopted in response to popular demand. The appeal made by a speaker at the Council meeting on Tuesday on behalf of 150 Girl Guides undoubtedly appeared to give extra weight to the dissenting petition, but this argument is discounted to a very great extent, when it is considered that practically all the Guides have the opportunity for instruction during the school hours, in which primary school girls, as well as those attending the Technical High School, are catered for twice weekly on the baths time-table. Incidentally the alterations outlined would increase the custodian’s hours, but Mr .T. Dowdle, in making his recommendations for this season and in his work over seven previous seasons, has always shown the utmost consideration to those who frequent the institution and endeavoured to maintain its attractiveness to the public generally.