DEVONPORT BATHING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 1509, 16 January 1914, Page 4

DEVONPORT BATHING.

Sir.—Mr. Handler's replv to Mr.'Part's remarks re bathing accommodation, etc., reads very nicely, but one wonders whether the Mayor of Devonport can deceive himself so far as to believe that the ratepayers' rejection of past unsuitable proposals'is sufficient excuse for the present state of the beaches. His expressed opinion, "that this healthful and useful pastime (swimming) should be encouraged to t-be fullest extent," taken in conjunction, with a visit to any of the beaches at a popular time, condemns him out of his own mouth. The ridiculous "show-leg" tin structures are utterly inadequate, and nothing but the fixed determination for a swim at all costs would tempt anyone to put up with the discomfort attendant upon the jostling, the dirty floor, and the difficulty of finding a few inches wherein to dispose of one's clothes. The sandy floors are always in a very dirty condition, and, apparently, itia nobody's business to ever freshen them up. Were. I not one of the " swim-at-all-costs description, I am afraid that the "healthful and useful pastime" would have fallen into disuse with me. And this, forsooth, is "encouragement 1 1 the fullest extent. Oli, that wc could infuse the Devonport Council with a little of Mr. Parr's practical energy ! Then, also, perhaps, our nice bandstand, which cost the ratepayers—l think—£2oo, would be put to the use tor which it was intended. I could go on and on, but I refrain (with difficulty). A Disgusted Devon-port Ratepayer-