THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1928. THE BEACHES AND BATHING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20322, 2 February 1928, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1928. THE BEACHES AND BATHING.

It seems desirable that emphasis should be laid ou the note of warning that was sounded by the coroner at the inquest arising out of the fatality at St. Clair this week. People would incur no danger, Mr Bartholomew said, if they bathed only in the recognised spots and between the flags that define the bathing places. We should prefer to put it in another way; that even practised swimmers expose themselves to danger if they venture beyond their depth in parts of the beach at St. Clair outside the defined limits. The great majority of those who regularly use the beach are well aware of the precautions that it is important to take, but some even of them may, in such fine weather as we have been experiencing, be tempted to incur risks which they should avoid. It is for the benefit, however, of those who are occasional swimmers that the caution uttered by the coroner is most necessary. Responsive to the call of the open, great crowds have been basking in the sunshine of the beaches during the past few weeks, and have revelled in the rolling breakers of the Pacific, drawing health and happiness from the invigorating pastime of surfbathing. Though our sea front is invariably a popular rendezvous in fine weather, there can be little doubt that during the present season it has attracted the residents of the city in larger numbers than in any previous year. In considerable measure this has been due to the operation of the Summer Time Act which has rendered it possible for those who are engaged in the city during the day to reach the ■sea front while the sun’s rays still retain much of their warmth. The popularity of the Ocean Beach during the present season prompts the question whether the value of this asset to the city is recognised to the full. Nowhere else in New Zealand is there such a magnificent stretch of clean white sand, and nowhere else may surf-bathing be enjoyed under such invigorating conditions as are provided by the sweeping rollers breaking ou the sands of the beach. But there is a lack of provision of bathing facilities, especially in the respect of accommodation for dressing and sun bathing such as exists at Caroline Bay, that might well receive the consideration of the authorities. It is to be confessed that the attempt that was made by the City Council some years ago to provide dressing sheds at St. Clair was attended by results that were not altogether encouraging, but the absence of adequate accommodation is being so severely felt that it seems reasonable to hope that, if bathers’ pavilions were provided, both at St. Clair and St. Hilda, the users would value the accommodation sufficiently to take an active interest in the protection of the property provided for their convenience and comfort. The extension of the accommodation that is provided at the enclosed baths at St. Clair is also highly necessary. The inadequacy of the dressing rooms that now do duty has been plainly demonstrated this season.