EPSOM GRAMMAR SCHOOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 19

EPSOM GRAMMAR SCHOOL

NEW SWIMMING BATHS REALISATION OF AN IDEAL An ideal which originated at the Epsom Girls' Grammar School 11 years ago, the possession of a swimming bath, was finally realised yesterday afternoon, when the new bath ■was officially opened by Professor A. P. W. Thomas, chairman of the Grammar School Board, in the presence of the pupils and representatives of other educational institutions in Auckland. In reviewing the baths scheme, the headmistress, Miss A. L. Loudon, said the day stood out in the history of the school as significant of a areat achievement, the realisation of an ideal. Ihe first entry in the swimming bath tuna was dated November 15, 1922, the sum subscribed being 19s B*d. In 11 years the fund had grown to £IO3O of which £440 had been collected during the time Miss Morrison had been headmistress of the school. The total sum collected this year had been £332. There was no doubt that the idea of a swimming bath for the school originated with Miss Morrison, who took a very real interest in swimming as the best and most useful of a schoolacti"ties. "We are very glad that Miss Morrison is with us today to see the realisation of her dream, and it is a source of gratification to us that she has allowed her name to be permanently associated with the bath, which is to be known -as the Morrison Bath," Miss Loudon said. . It w as early this year that the active interest of the board of governors was aroused, and particular thanks wei;o due to the chairman, Professor Thomas, and Mr. Ward Baker, who began to take steps to put the scheme into operation, Miss Loudon continued. The Education Department decided the work could be controlled by officers of the Education Board, and thanks were due to Mr. T. U. Wells for his approval of the scheme and his effective co-operation. The Education Board's architect, Mr. A. B. Miller, and Mr. M. G. B. Harvoy, who controlled the work, were also thanked. Gratitude to the past pupils for their help in the baths scheme was also expressed by Miss Loudon, who said many had worked hard and bad given generously, though the prospect of their ever enjoying the fruits of their labour themselves was very remote. Congratulations on the completion of the baths were also extended by Professor Thomas and Mr. Wells.

Professor Thomas was then presented with the keys of the bath-house by Mr. Harvey. The blue and gold ribbons which were suspended across the bath at the far end were cut by Professor Thomas, and Dorothy Aickin, games captain for the year, was the first to take the water. She was followed by Judith Webster, the school's swimming champion, and a programme of swimming and life-saving lay the girls was then carried out. Afternoon tea was served to the guests at the conclusion of the ceremony.