ERECTED IN A DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18020, 20 February 1922, Page 8

ERECTED IN A DAY.

MAUNGAWHAU SCHOOL BATHS

TOTAL COST OF £1550. r

100 VOLUNTARY WORKERS. PRACTICE OF SELF-HELP. The Maungawhau school. Mount Eden, was a hive of industry on Saturday when a band of nearly 100 voluntary workors set themselves the task of completing in one day the eri"-iion of housing accommodation for a swimming bath for tho m of tho scholars attending the school. The whole scheme will cost £1550. Resident* are undertaftng the finding of ihe money, tho provisional committee acting as guarantors in the meantime. The swimminc pool measures 75ft. by 30ft. and is Bft. deep, grading down to 2ft. at one end.

Work on the erection of tho super*tr"cture - which includes eight shower hatn3. office and lavatory accommodation, u'-'l i n at 5 a,m - on Saturday, at which hour motors and lorries began to arrive with materials and men. These workers included carpenters, plumbers, painters, and handymen, while a ladies' committee served breakfast, luncheon and tea to tho workers. By sunset the whole structure was completed, and only the flooring remains to be put in, and this tho employees of .bo Mount Eden Borough Council have offered to do freo of charge. The work on Saturday was superintended by Messrs. S. E. Cliappe.ll and J. G. Tuner, who acted as architects and building foremen. The Salvation Army City Band volunteered their services, and during tho afternoon played a number of BuiUble selections, much to the delight of the large gathering of parents and residents.

The Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. J. W. Shackelford, in the course of a brief speech, thanked all who had contributed toward making the scherao an accomfact, especially mentioning the voluntary band of workers who had worked so hard that day. A section on the Surfdale Estate was given by the Oneroa Beach Estates and was put up for auction on the school grounds, as well as 50 bags of flour donated by Mr. P. Virtue, manager of tho Northern Roller Mills, for " his dear pooplo of Maungawhau." The auctioning of these aroused keen competition. It was stated that this is the first occasion in New Zealand where the residents of a school district have, unaided, found (he money for school baths. In this connection it is interesting to recall HTat the residents of the same district recently subscribed £500 toward the erection of the , apparatus in the children's playground at Potter's Park.

Great praise is due to Mr. F. J. Ohlson, headmaster of the Maungawhau school, for his untiring efforts in connection with the scheme. It has long been his ambition to have swimming baths at this school, where ever} child may be taught the useful and healthy art of swimming.

It is intended to ask the GovernorGeneral, Lord Jellicoe, to formally open the baths at a later date. The baths are now complete and ready for immediate use.