FOXTON SWIMMING BATES

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3247, 18 January 1926, Page 11

FOXTON SWIMMING BATES

OWNERS OP SITE INTERVIEWED. A meeting of citizens convened by the Mayor (Mr M. E. Pen-ton) was hold In the Council Chambers on Friday afternoon. Among those present were: Mr and Mrs Hone McMillan, and Mr and Mrs Eparima, part owners of the site, adjoining lhakara Gardens, where it is proposed to construct swimming baths. - - The Mayor said that; the question of public swimming barbs had been before the public for some years. The site under discussion was a suitable one and he had invited the Maori] owners to confer with the meeting, as to its transfer for that purpose. The idea was, if possible to transfer the section to the Education Depart? ment, and to raise the money the construction of the baths, the cost of which would be about £I2OO. Several donations had been promised and there would be no difficulty in raising the required sum by means of a big effort. The Mayor mad* reference _to this generous gifts of land to Foxton bj the chief lhakara, whose two descendants were present. He knevr the present owners would be prepared to deal generously in too matter. In reply to Mr Woods, the Mayor said it had been suggested that the site be exchanged for a seaside site and he was of opinion that such an exchange could be arranged. Mr McMillan said 'hat those interested in the site desired to Know what the proposals were so that they could discuss the matter and come to & conelusion. ' Mr J. K. Hornblow said that the School Committee nad made overtures for the acquisition of the site and that the Minister for Education had been approached on the matter and had expressed a favourable opinion as to its acquisition. Security of tenure was essential before any permanent work was done and if necessary a fair price should be paid for the section. School swimming baths were a necessity and the site was ideal for the purpose. He felt sure that the public would raise the money required for constructing the baths. Mr Hutchins (president of the local swimming club) said darns were essential to the club’s welfare as tht liver was unsuitable for swimming sports and dangerous to junior mem bers. An expert and ox-champion lady swimmer had consented to assist the club in givlcg instructions to learners In the art of life-saving free of charge, if baths were constructed. He would be pleased to assist la any way towards establishing the' batha Several others present spoke in favour of the proposal and the site. The meeting then adjourned in order to allow the native owners to consider the matter. This decision will ba communicated to ths Mayor who will then convene a further meeting.

Croquet Notes. The Foxton Club is to meet Terrace End in an inter-club match at Takaro courts on Thursday next. Th( players are as follows (handicaps in brae.kata, and Terrace End players

mentioned flr«t)i — Slnglm:;—Mrs Honor* (T) v. Mri': s Owen (8j), Mrs Fletcher (SO v. Mri*? Pearson (7); Double-i: Mesdamea Mill* i (8) and Sorrenson (8) v. Mesdamea*-'? McMurray (7) and Parkes (8i); Mdfc » dames Fletcher (9) and Jamleadiß f (9) v. Mesdame* Woods (8) ahd'Btdl''*■(81). ' 1 ■ " 1 1 . *