MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 25 June 1937, Page 2

MOTUEKA

SAFE BATHING SOCIETY AFFAIRS TO BE WOUND UP J 1 From Our Own Correspomleut] J A meeting of the Motueka Safe j Bathing Society, to consider the ques- ! tion of winding up the affairs of the | society, was held in the Horticulural Hall last evening. The Mayor (Mr R. J. L. York) was voted to the chair. Mr G. James thought the society should not be wound up, but that it should continue to function and should undertake the cleaning up of the beach area under its jurisdiction. Mr C. L. Harvey (chairman of the Harbour Board) said that in the past difficulty had been experienced in obtaining a suitable caretaker. Under proper management and with the area | put in order he believed the beach would regain its popularity. The secretary informed the meeting that the liquid assets of the society amounted to £56 18s 4d and that after meeting all liabilities there would be a credit of £33 18s Id. It was moved (Messrs Lewis and Calder) that accounts amounting to £24 5s 7d be passed for payment. An amendment by Messrs Tarleton and G. James —that payments be held over until the society decided what action it intended taking, was lost. Mr Harvey stated that, if the society decided to carry on, he felt sure the Harbour Board would meet the society fairly. He considered that something might be done in regard to rent, but said that there could be no reduction in water rates. Mr Harvey was also of the opinion that if someone was made responsible for the supervision of the water supply, economy could be effected. Mr Lewis moved: “That the affairs of the society be wound up.” For some years, said Mr Lewis, little or nothing had been done by the society. If the society was moribund to that extent it should go out of office. The functions of the society had not been carried out for some time and the membership had declined. The lease expired on October 1937, and he thought that as things were at present tin Harbour Board would not be favourably disposed to grant a new lease. If the society continued to function a large influx of new members would be necessary; and if this could not be obtained it was only wasting time to delay the winding up. Mr P. B. Calder seconded the motion pro forma. Mr Calder said that since the wirenetting had been fixed up at the bathing enclosure nothing had been done. Referring to the area as a camping ground to carry out the sanitary requirements according to present day regulations the society would, he said, be faced with an expenditure of approximately £240. Mrs James stated that she was present on behalf of the Women’s Division, members of which were willing to work to raise funds for the establishment of permanent baths at the beach. When the disposal of the funds was being discussed Mrs James asked what had become of the money collected. WIRE-NETTING AND PROTECTION WORKS Mr W. Ovens explained that a good deal had been spent on the renewing of the wire-netting from time to time, and this had been an expensive business. Mr Harvey pointed out that some of the money had been expended on protection work.' STRINGENT REGULATIONS The Mayor said he had listened to the arguments for and against the winding up of the society’s affairs. He was pleased the members of the Women’s Division were interested, but doubted if they were aware of the stringent regulations that had been passed in regard to camping grounds. The time was not far distant when public baths would have to be established in the town, and under the circumstances, he thought -it was scarcely warranted to establish baths at the beach. The society would have to depend on the support of the public unless the work was undertaken by one of the corporative bodies. Mrs James said that the Women’s | Division wished to call a public meet- ! ing with the view to forming a live body which would undertake the providing of facilities for bathing at the beach. They did not wish to establish a camping ground. Mr Moverley pointed out that more than two-thirds of the school children (Motueka) were poor swimmers or non-swimmers. Out of 70 pupils questioned only 16 gave a definite assurance of being good swimmers. He considered the beach was unsuitable for the children, because of the distance from the town and the absence of water. The river was a danger and had proved unsatisfactory without supervision. CONSTRUCTION OF SWIMMING BATHS j Mr A. L. Vickerman stated that the ! School Committee had given some j consideration to the question of batha. j The Beach was not safe to those who were non-swimmers. There was no intention of opposition, but the members of the committee were desirous that the children should be taught swimming. As a nucleus of a fund for the construction of baths, the School Comimitle had put aside £SO. | Mr Vickerman then read a lettex from the Nelson Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, in this connection. | If the society could not carry on Mr ' Vickerman said he would ask for the co-operation of those interested to further the establishment of baths in the town. Baths built to Public Works specificaions would cost about £1,700. Mr Vickerman added that his remarks had been made in the interests of the children and the public generally. In reply to a question Mr Lewis stated that the society had the right to remove all improvements they had erected at the Beach (bathing sheds, etc). He suggested that the Women’s Division abandon the idea of taking over the society. It would be better to let it be wound up and then apply to the Harbour Board for a smaller area, if desired. Me had listened to the remarks of Messrs Moverley and Vickerman, whose object was to cater for the “greater needs of the district.” Mr Lewis withdrew his original motion, and moved that the Motueka Safe Bathing Society be wound up in accordance with its rules. This was seconded by Mr W. Ovens

and carried unanimously. The secretary was requested to take the necessary steps to wind up the a flairs of the society. Mr Vickerman said that failing any other worthy object he would make formal application to the society to hand over the assets to the School Committee for the purpose of establishing baths in t*.wn Mr Harvey stated that the Automobile Association had been approached and asked to take over the Beach Camping Ground, but had replied that they could not see their way to do so. It was decided, on the motion of Messrs Calder and Lewis, that the Women’s Division be thanked by the society for their generous offer of assistance. I A vote of thanks was accorded the Mayor for presiding. f