The Chronicle. THURSDAY, February 14, 1918

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 February 1918, Page 2

The Chronicle. THURSDAY, February 14, 1918

IF any demonstration were needed of the value of swimming baths to a community it'was given yesterday afternoon wlien the Levin municipal baths were crowded by a gathering eager to watch, the aquatic displays of the youtli of both sexes. When the then Mayor (Mr B. R. Gardener) first advocated a publicly owned swimming pool for Levin he met with considerable opposition, but many times since the town must have had reason to congratulate itself. 011 Mr Gardener's pertinacity in battling through with his scheme. It may be nrgiied that the baths are not a financial success. But who would place the expenditure of a few shillings annual] yagains.t the splendid health-giving and muscle-building exercise exemplified in yesterday's display. In some schools swimming is made compulsory, and Levin is so far fortunate in that so much .encouragement is given by the teachers and a number of leading townsmen to the boys and girls to become proficient in so useful an art. The financial success of yesterday's gathering must have been very satisfactory to the committee which had charge of the operations and we are sure that if they pursue ia. proposal that has been mooted to hold a gaslight tournament to raise funds to provide seating accommodation at the baths their enterprise will meet with the success it deserves.