LADY SWIMMERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15558, 7 March 1911, Page 3

LADY SWIMMERS.

DEMAND FOR SEPARATE BATH. K problem for the city COUNCIL. 'With the object of inducing the city to provide a separate municipal swimming bath for ladies only, a deputation consisting of twenty-four ladies, representing the Ladies’ Life-Saving and Swimming Club, waited on the City Council last evening. Tho deputation was introduced by Messrs I. E. lay lor, M.P., and G. Harris, president of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. , ... Mr Tavlor said that tho deputation represented the ladies using the presold baths, and they wished to impress upon the Council tlio fact that the time had arrived when a bath should be constructed for tlio use of Indies only. At present the ladies had the use oi tiio bath for only eighteen hours in each week. "ihe men had the bath for 190 hours in the month, and tho ladies seventy-two hours. Swimming as a pastime had become increasingly popular since the establishment of the municipal baths, until now tho oveicrowcling was frequently such that swimming could not bo indulged in. Tho revenue of the bath from October 1 to the end of February this year had been £505 as against £269 10s for tho corresponding period last year, having practically doubled. The receipts for : February this year had been .hi 22 19s Bd, as against £B4 8s od last year. The number of baths taken bad been 2900. and 1575 women and school children were using the bath during the hours allotted to ladies bv the Council. Ho thought that the facts lie had placed before the Council and the undoubted popularity of the pastime among ladies wore sufficient to warrant the Council asking the Baths Committee to go into the whole question. Ho lelt that the Council would find that there would bo sufficient to warrant it submitting tho proposal to the ratepayers. He felt sure that tile financial side of the question would present no difficulties. Mr Harris presented a petition signed by between 400 and 500 ladies, asking that extra accommodation should be provided, if not a new bath tor ladies. The success of the bath, he said, had exceeded his expectations, and it had been the means of teaching a largo number of ladies the art of swimming, without tho dangers that frequently troubled beginners. The ladies had also taken up life-saving, which was another strong reason for consideration being given to their request. The accommodation at the bath at present was not sufficient for tho ladies. Many had to undress in canvas shelters upstairs and downstairs, and as a result the Council could not lot rooms in the building to the men. The new bath could be constructed alongside the present building for about £2OOO, and there. Was no reason to fear that there would be a loss on the venture, nor would the Council he blamed for having done anything wrong. The ladies had instructed him to say in conclusion that il the Council would not accede to their request they would approach if again. The Mayor said that he thought tho 1 Council was already favourably disposed toward the proposal. At any rate, the matter would have to go before tho ratepayers. The question was referred to Alk> Bath Commiiteo- for uLzepurL.