OPEN BUT UNMIXED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 62, 23 February 1911, Page 3

OPEN BUT UNMIXED

A BEACH BATHING PROBLEM After years of agitation it will shortly be possible to enter Hobson Bay in regulation neck-to-knee costume without being liable to instant arrest and subsequent im prisdhment.'' • At their last meeting the South Melbourne City Council unanimously decided to approach the Harbour Trust, asking that per- [ mission be granted for open seabathing on the beach, at Beaconsfield Parade, subject to -stringent regulations/ ■ '- r . The Mayor (Cr ‘if urjjhy). suggested that portion of the foreshore should be set apart for women and another part for men. A Councillor: How are you going to keep them apart? The Mayor: I’ll manage it. A Councillor: You'll want to call out the military.—(Laughter). Another Councillor: Appoint a referee.—(Renewed laughter). The First Councillor: Break away lads. s Several councillors desired to ascertain whether the sexes were to be separated by a line of buoys, considerable . amusement taking place over certain members pretending to understand that “boys” were meant. It was also suggest ed that a barb wire fence should be erected, and one jocular councillor said that nothing but patrol by trained sharks would be effective. Eventually it was left for the Mayor to work out the problem for himself. It was estimated that a suitable bathing shed should be erected for - women at a cost of £2OO and .simij lar accommodation for men at £l5O ;The latter building would accommodate SQO men. It was proposed 1 that the regulations should be i stringent, so that decency would I be observed in the interests of the i community. [ Cr. Crane: The ' Government j should be asked to assist. The con- : cession is not for South Melbourne : residents alone. The Mayor : The Government will not do anything. Cr. Baragwanath: This business will land us in trouble if not properly managed. We might have to ; erect a shark proof fence. It was decided to consider the < framing of the necessary regulaTti«».at the next meeting, and that the -authorities at Manly and ■ Coogee be risked to supply partic•ulars of the amusements in operation in those bathing places.