RICCARTON SWIMMING BATH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11181, 1 February 1897, Page 2

RICCARTON SWIMMING BATH.

The ceremony of opening' the new swimming bath at Eiccarton took place on Saturday afternoon, and was well attended. A strong posse of swimmers from the Christchurch and suburban clubs, under the direction of Mr Francis, kindly volunteered their services for the occasion. Among those present were the Hon C. C. Bowen, Mr G.~ Harris, president of the Christchurch Swimming Club, Mr P. Campbell and a large number of ladies. In declaring the bath open, the Hon C. C. Bowen said he hoped it would benefit both the children and the adult population. Every child in the district would now be able to learn to swim. The bath when completed would cost £l3O, and a few pounds were still needed to finish the work. He would now ask Mr Francis to call on Ins athletes to open the bath practically. (Applause.) A programme which lasted for an hour and three-quarters was then gone through, which included plain and fancy swimming, spring-board and high diving, races, plunging and water polo. Several ladies from the Christchurch Club and one from the Richmond attended with their chaperones and gave a very creditable exhibition of plain swimming. Mr Stratton and his team gave a very sound exposition of resuscitation and life-saving-drill which was greatly appreciated. Messrs J. Holmes and P. Campbell kindly acted as judges. Refreshments were supplied by Mesdames English, Thompson, Brake, Atkins, Hanson and Miss Low. The bath is of concrete, being 75ft long by 21ft wide, and having a depth of 7ft at one end, and 2ft Gin at the other. A continuous chain for the convenience of bathers runs all round the bath. The whole is enclosed by a substantial fence of galvanised iron. Owing to want of funds the dressing-sheds are not yet built, but their construction will he proceeded with as soon as sufficient subscriptions come in to justify the letting of a contract. The sum of >£llo has already been expended, and it is estimated that another AGO will complete the work. The water is derived from the Waimakariri water-race, and is considerably warmer than that coming from an artesian well. The local Bath Committee are Messrs J. Jarman (chairman), E. Brake, G. Rowland, H. Thompson, T. Low and G. Atkins.