WINTON

Southland Times, Issue 23435, 16 February 1938, Page 15

WINTON

SWIMMING POOL IN TOWN DISCUSSION BY BOROUGH COUNCIL Cr N. Metzger stated at the monthly meeting of the Winton Borough Council that he had been approached by several citizens about the desirability of establishing a swimming pool in the town. “It would be a wonderful asset to the town,” said Cr Metzger, and I am sure the public will be interested. We are practically the only town without one. The number of drowning accidents during the Christmas holidays has been enormous and the time will come, no doubt, when swimming lessons will be compulsory in the schools. At the present time the school children are being taken to the river by bus for a penny each.” “It is a national scheme and the Government would subsidize or give a grant provided the citizens are interested,” he said. “Rhododendron Dell is ideally situated and the old athenaeum building could be used for dressing rooms. I have made inquiries and a pool 75 feet by 25 feet with water pumped from the borough well would cost about £5OO. I suggest that a meeting of citizens be called and I am sure it will support the scheme.” „ The Mayor (Mr T. Walker): The scheme is a good one. As far as raising the money is concerned I think we can raise it publicly, if not, the Government will help. Location will be one of the big problems. Cr C. Stenhouse: The water scheme is more important than a swimming pool. The Mayor: Yes, but it has nothing to do with the water scheme and it will not cost the rate-payers anything. It will maintain itself. It does in other places. The rate-payers would have nothing to do with the water scheme last time. This is a public affair. It was decided to obtain more information, and discuss the question at the next meeting before calling a public meeting. There were present: The Mayor (Mr T. Walker) and Crs. N. Metzger, T. N. 'Eastlake, C. Stenhouse and J. T. Butler. The Mayor reported that he had met the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. _T. Armstrong), who had made a brief stop while passing through Winton. The Minister visited several of the reserves and remarked on the clean and very attractive appearance of the town. He was very favourably, impressed with th e lay-out of the reserves and was greatly taken with the trees in Anzac Oval and Hie Great North Road. When approached about a continuance of Scheme No. 13 within the borough, the Minister stated that this had been authorized. The Minister expressed himself as satisfied with the street work being carried out by the council. The schoolmaster of the Winton District High School wrote asking for assistance to tidy the playing area, which had become overgrown during the holidays. The request was approved and left to the Works Committee. Cr Butler suggested that as it was possible to get all wages subsidized at the present time, consideration should again be given to a water supply for the town. The subsidy on a £lO,OOO scheme would probably run into £3OOO. The clerk was instructed to write to the Minister of Labour to make inquiries. WOMEN’S INSTITUTE The monthly meeting of the Winton Women’s Institute was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The president, Mrs H. J. Davie, presided over a fair attendance of members. Reference was made to the death of Mr John Deegan. The motto for the evening was “We all live in the hope of pleasing someone,” and the roll call, “A biscuit or cake recipe.” Invitations were received to the Limehills Institute’s birthday, and io the address at Winton to be given by Mrs Drake, Dominion president of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union.

A letter was received from Disabled Soldiers Re-establishment League, of Christchurch, thanking the institute for the help given in the selling of leather goods and basket ware by the local members, the sum of £l2 12/- being realized.

Mrs M. E. Gerrard gave a short, talk on floral decoration, and Mrs Buckland spoke on the routine work of the institutes in England. Mrs J. Webb gave a demonstration on the making of dusters from ropes. The monthly competitions resulted.— Best decorated vase: Mrs J. Dixon 1, Mrs H. A. Pierce 2, Mrs J. Webb 3. Best Bloom: Mrs H. A. Pierce 1, Miss E. Pierce 2.