TEPID BATHS

Southland Times, Issue 25309, 12 June 1935, Page 8

TEPID BATHS

ANNUAL REPORT. ALL RECORDS BROKEN. The annual report of the superintendent of the baths (Mr H. S. Baker) states that consequent upon the hot summer experienced all attendance records had been broken in the 1934-35 season. The heaviest increases have occurred in the following items: season tickets 49, adults concession 46, children’s concession tickets 219, adults single admissions 1532, children’s 2260, and hire of costumes over 1000. Five Club Carnivals, three Centre Carnivals, four Secondary School Swimming Sports, a Primary Schools Championship Carnival, a “Learn to Swim” Week, a Boy Scouts and a Girl Guides Annual Sports had been held during the year. It was pleasing to report that tlje attendances at all the above showed a slight improvement over the past two seasons. Quite a number of records were again improved upon at the various galas, and although not anticipated, seven records were broken at the primary schools championships, which went to show that swimming was still improving in Southland. The “Herbert Smith” Trust Cups have never been so keenly competed for as had been the case through the season just concluded, and the entries have never been so good. They were a decided help on programmes, and were greatly appreciated not only by the competitors, but also by the governing body. The contest for No. 4 cup for Girls Relay Championship was the most exciting rase of the year. The following were the respective winners.'— ' -

No. 1 Cup, champion boy, M. Jones, Technical College: No. 2 Cup, champion girl, J. Macdonald, Technical College; No. 3 Cup, champion boys relay, Technical College; No. 4 Cup, champion girls relay, Southland Girls’ High School; No. 5 Cup, champion boys breaststroke, A. Mair, Southland Boys’ High School; No. 6 Cup, champion primary school boy, A. Wilson Middle School; No. 7 Cup, girls breaststroke, C. Lynch, St. Catherine’s College. All competitors were under 15 years of age on date of contests. The squads from schools were getting heavier each year. During February and March 1935, 963 scholars were on the Municipal Baths Roll. With some of these classes attending two, three and four times weekly, the total atendance could amount each week to 1688 admissions. The actual school children attendances for the year during classes amounted to 13,350. Commenting on the 1934-35 admissions to the baths, the superintendent stated: Allowing only 4 months usage for patrons with yearly, 3 months or half-yearly, and 2 months on quarterly season tickets, I have estimated admissions by this source at approximately 25,000 (with numbers using these tickets two and three times daily during the hot spells this estimate is low), by private swimming lessons 410, adults concession tickets 1500, children’s concession tickets 10,000, adult single admissions 8100, children’s 13,000, private baths 370, Baptismal service, 50 school attendanaces 13,350, school swimming sports 2100, carnivals 4900, visitors 500; total admissions to the baths for the year 80,180. The returns for the year from all sources amounted to, £872 13 7, which was approximately £lO6 higher than last yeai<s figures and £34 10/- better than the previous record of 1931/1932.