HOBSON STREET BATHS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18890, 12 December 1924, Page 12

HOBSON STREET BATHS.

CARNIVAL ATTENDANCES.

The maximum attendance at carnivals hold in the Hobson Street tepid baths is to be increased to 1500. For many years there was practically no limit to the number of people who could assemble in tho bath building to witness swimming races, but recently the number was restricted to 550, the reason given being that the safety of the public demanded this measure. When tthis decision was made the swimming clubs complained that with tho small attendance stipulated they could not finance carnivals, as the whole of the takings were absorbed by the rent -which they had to pay the council for the use < f the baths and by other incidental expanses. This tad to protests being made by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, and last evening tho City Council reviewed the wholo position. Tho bathkeeper, Mr. M. Champion, was in attendance, and he explained that the accommodation at the baths would not bo overtaxed even when there was an attendance of over 1500, as many as 2600 people having assembled on the occasion of tho visit of Arne Borg. He pointed out that the -emergency exits wore ample to allow of easy egress should circumstances demand it.

After considering the matter in all its phages the council fixed the maximum attendance at 150), the new order to come into force immediately.