Tepid Baths – An Ideal Memorial

Northern Advocate, 30 September 1938, Page 3

Tepid Baths - An Ideal Memorial

Will Whangarei consider the building of a tepid swimming bath as a Centennial memorial?

This was a question discussed at some length by Mr G. S. Reid, president, at the annual meeting of the Whangarei Amateur Swimming Club last night.

“If we had a tepid bath in Whangarei we could produce champions,” Mr Reid said in emphasising the fact that it takes a swimmer from six. to eight weeks to get his muscles into tone. As a result of this, it is not until the end of the season that local exponents approach their true form. This is a serious handicap so far as representative racing is concerned. Actually, for all the natural swimming facilities that the town possesses, the swimming season is confined to only three months of the year. Lack of winter facilities also had a bearing on the problem of teaching children to swim. Mr Reid contended. Beginners who were just getting confidence at the end of a season were set hack tremendously by having to wait nine months before their lessons could continue.

Aii Urgent Need, “A municipal tepid bath is wanted urgently,” he said. “It is about time the Borough Council was approached with regard to the matter.” Mr Reid was qonfident that the proposal could be Carried out. In First Avenue, there was a spot that would make an ideal location. Pumping gear could draw water from the Waiorahia Stream, which runs through Central Park, and at the works of the Whangarei Gas Company there was heat going to waste. It was not too much to hope that the borough and the gas company could co-operate to the benefit of the entire community. So far as costs were concerned. Mr Reid had not gone thoroughly into the question. However, he estimated that a suitable building, providing tank, seating accommodation and other facilities could be erected for from £SOOO to £6OOO.

“There is awaiting us the ideal Centennial memorial for Whangarei,” Mr Reid concluded.

7.35: “Your Programmes from Daventry.” Talk by Empire Sendee Director. 7.50: News and announcements. 8.15: Close down.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1.

EMPIRE STATIONS GSI, 19.66 m.; GSO, 19.76 m.; GSE, 25.28 m.; GSD, 25.53 m.; GSB. 31.55 m. 6.0 p.m.: Big Ben. Three short talks of topical interest, 6.20; “Arebut and Gaertie,” in a Birmingham dialect sketch. 6.35: “Hindlip Hall—A Great House of England.” Play by L. du Garde Peach. 7.20: “The Twilight Sorenaders.” Fantasy in music and story. 7.40: “London Log." 7.50: Nows and announcements. 8.15: Close down.