BATHERS’ DRESSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 16 January 1928, Page 9

BATHERS’ DRESSES

COMPLAINTS AT NEW BRIGHTON (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, 14tli Jan. Are our seaside bathers less modest than they used- to he, and are the bathing by-laws at Brighton so old-fashioned and exacting that no one observes them? The experience this season tends to show that complaints' made concerning bathers have been justified. A “Sun” reporter who made inquiries to-day found that the preference by women for close-fitting costumes is pronounced enough to give just cause for adverse comment,. By several persons the reporter Was told that some bathers (igo beyond the limit in -brevity of attire. Members of the public and surf club officials deprecate the use of abbreviated costumes and an effort is being made to inculcate a little more modesty and restraint by bathers generally. It is quite common for parties to undress in the sandhills, thus encouraging the attention of undesirables. The practice of bathers walking uncloaked from their homes to the beach has become common. Mr A. W. Owles, who is mayor of New Brighton and president of the surf clubs at New Brighton and North Beach, said that 24 inspectors have been appointed to- patrol the beaches. The public had complained to him that the costumes as worn this season were too short and too tight.- .-. * j Another surf club. mail was of opinion that women and girls lived up to the taw that it were better to he dead than put of the fashion, consequently they looked for the tightest, shortest, and most conspicuous costume possible. Many scorned women’s costumes and wore those -qf men. The present trend on the beaches reminded him of the joke about the girl buying a costume. She was told that it was unshrinkable, and asked, “Have you any of the other soft?” I