THE WOMEN'S SWIMMING BATH.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 199, 23 September 1896, Page 2

THE WOMEN'S SWIMMING BATH.

Id spite of the fact that the flood gates of heaven were' opened to their fullest extent on Wednesday afternoon last and that the rain descended mercilessly and impartially on the just and the unjust, a large number of people assembled at the new swimming Lath for women to witness the opening ceremony. Mr Malfroy, addressing the audience through Dr Grinders, said:—"l have invited you to be present here this afternoon to take part in the ceremony of opening the Ladies' Swimming Bath and I feel it my duty to say a few words on the occasion. The bath is 2oft by 50ft, with a depth of water of .'sft Gin. at tho bottom of the steps, increasing to -Ift at the opposite end; its capacity is about 25,000 gallons. A constant stream of water flows through it, so as to keep the temperature tit from 90 to OS degrees which is the one recommended as the most suitable for an exercise bath. As in Botorua we are in the habit of seeing largo quantities of hot mineral water flowing in every direction we do not value this gift of nature at its proper worth. It is necessary to travel and see what is being done elsewhere to realise tho blessing of having hot mineral water in a town. In 18891 had the honor to be appointed to visit and report on the baths of Europe. T visited the principal baths in England. France, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland, and I can assure you that though they have very much more costly erections they are in most places obliged to economise their water and even have to warm it artificially in some places. None of those countries present such bathing opportunities as are afforded in Botorua. They have what they call running water baths but none of such capacity as our ladies' and gentlemen's swimming baths. I speak these words advisedly with a view to refute the consistant crying down of the Botorua Government baths by incompetent or interested persons. Yes, by the inauguration of this new bath we are' now capable of giving 1,500 immersion baths, of one hour each, daily, which is more thau any European establishment can do." Dr Ginders, under whose control the bath is placed, having receivedthe key from Mr Malfroy, alluded to the difference between the present bathing arrangements and those in vogue 10 years ago. He had always impressed on the authori-

ties the expediency of providing for Rote •" rua amide bathing accommodation. He considered that such should be more than was actually required but that no mom y should bo spent on needles* embellish* inent. The country was too poor and could not afford it. He trusted the bath now opened would not only be a source of gratification to the ladies but beneticiaJ to their health. At. tho conclusion of Dr Grinders' remarks Mr Malfroy opened the door of one of the dressing-boxes and led out a dainty little maiden, blushing rosy red. who sprang into the bath—with all tl e speed of a frightened naiad, and disporti d herself in the water as if it wi ra her native element. The male creatures then solemnly departed and left the sacred edifice to Miss Laura Hawkcsworth and her attendant nymphs: