BLENHEIM SWIMMING CLUB.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 262, 5 November 1912, Page 2

BLENHEIM SWIMMING CLUB.

OPENING OF THE SEASON.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

In the course of his address at the opening of the Blenheim Swimming Club's season at the municipal baths on Saturday, the president (Mr D. A. Sturrock) stated that the Club was celebrating its first birthday. When formed the Club consisted of 16 members, but to-day it boasted 240, there being 124 seniors, 78 juniors, and 38 ladies. During the year the club had been fighting for better facilities at the baths. The baths themselves had ; been presented to the Borough, and were now self-supporting, having that week, even before the formal opening, earned £3 14s. More room was required, additional dressing-rooms were absolutely necessary, and a supply of towels and bathing costumes was essential. The Borough Council had been repeatedly approached with a view to these requirements being met, and £100 had been placed on the estimates for the improvement of the baths. But what permanent improveI ments, he asked, had been effected? Absolutely none! It was a shame that the Councillors did not tealise their responsibilities in the matter. In other towns public baths were known to bo s a necessity, hot a luxury. A knowledge of swimming was a necessary part of the education of every "boy and girl, man and, woman, and the river f was a dangerous, place in which to learn to swim; but so far from the Blenheim Council endeavordng to assist the swimming club in its work by providing the requisite facilities, it did worse than obstruot this movement which was for the benefit oi the burgesses—it did nothing. True, plans were now ordered to be prepared; but how much difference there was between planning and completing the improvements. With the existing water supply to took 3J days to fill the baths—that one out of three and a-half days were wasted and revenue for that period! was lost each time the baths were cleaned, besides the inconvenience caused, and this while there were tons of water underneath bursting to get to th© top if only a few pipes were put down. This was not all. For the sake of a few shillings a large leak was allowed to remain" in the baths through which large quantities of water were wasted. The Council had been asked for a supply of towels and trunks to be hired out at Id each per time. They would soon pay for themselves at this rate. How maji^had been supplied? I A paltey.two.dpzen—and..for a municipal bath. Six' dozen would have been too few., The club had reason to complain that Council was starving the baths. And why was the club so anxious that the baths should be '' a success? Firstlyj because its object was that everyone should learn to swim; secondly, because it was hoped that a team would be sent to represent Blenheim at the championship carnival in Napier this season; thirdly, because it wanted the boys to- learn the healthful exercise of swimming, and possibly send a junior I team to Najxier; and fourthly, bejv cause it desired to see some championj ship events swum in the Blenheim baths, and that was impossible as they were at present. It was hoped that I carnivals would frequently be held, at [ night, and better lighting and seat- [ ing accommodation were required to enable that to be' done. It behoved those who were" interested in swim- ! ming to bestir themselves; and see that the/seats of thevOity Fathers 'were filled, by men who would support the baths as an asset of the borough. In j declaring the baths open, the speaker trusted that the improvements he had I q'utlined would shortly be effected, : and that a most successful season lay before them.

Mr R. S. Florance. addressed a few words to the gathering, (exhorting the '.'young idea" to learn to swim, and pointing out the benefits in health, physique, and life-saving ability to be derived from that art. He congratulated the club on the progress it had made, and wished the members a successful season. ■ ~ ; .