FITZROY SWIMMING BATHS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1930, Page 5

FITZROY SWIMMING BATHS

WAIWAKAIHO PLAN REJECTED SITE ADJOINING THE SCHOOL, COUNCIL TO BE APPROACHED. The Fitzroy householders last night approved a scheme to purchase a section adjoining the school ground. It was intended that this area of about one-' fifth of an acre should be used as an agricultural plot, a means of thoroughfare to Clemow Road, and as a swimming pool site. The pool to be constructed is to be 40 feet by 25 feet, and four feet deep at one end and two feet at the other. ■

This scheme as submitted by a subcommittee of the outgoing school committee presided over by Mr. J. A. Burr, is to be advocated and an endeavour is to be made to obtain from the Borough Council sufficient water at a much more reasonable rate than that offered. The report of . the sub-committee stated that in March the necessity for providing facilities, for teaching the .younger pupils swimming was brought before the committee by Mr. G. A. Lyall : (headmaster).- . After ' considerable discussion a sub-committee was set up • to: inquire into the . matter. . ‘ In the first place there was no doubt that the time had arrived for steps to ■be taken to provide a bath or pool in the vicinity Of the school. The schemes examined by the sub-committee were classified as follow;—(a) The building of a pool 40ft. by-25ft in the present seifool ground, close to the infant department. The supply of. water to be obtained from the borough council, (b) The purchase of a section. adjoining the school ground, using l this area as an agriculture plot, a means of thoroughfare to Clemow Road, and as a swimming pool site, (c) The co-opera-tion with-the borough council in forming a pool on the bank of the Waiwakaiho River, the pool to be directly filled by gravitation from the river, (d) The placing of the bath on .the school grounds and obtaining water by means of a pump. The committee, with the co-operation of • sub-committee from the borough council, thoroughly discussed the various schemes. The considered opinion of the sub-committee was that scheme B .presented most attraction for the following reasons: —(1) The pool, being in the school grounds, allows of adequate supervision. (2) No time would be lost by pupils in transit. (3) The muchneeded outlet into Clemow Road would •be provided. (4) The agriculture classes at the school would have permanent experimental plots. (5) The scheme would probably carry departmental subsidy. The main objection to the scheme was the annual cost of water which, unless further representations to the council were effective, would saddle committees with an expenditure of between £3O and £4O per annum. On Mr. J. A. Burr’s motion the report was received. In answer to questions as to the cost of the proposed scheme and as to the provision for sewerage, Mr, Burr said the wat A ” from the baths would flush out the sewers. The cost of the section over which the committee had an option would be £250, while it had been estimated that the baths would cost about £275.

As there was no departmental subsidy on water for baths, said Mr. Burr, answering Mr. Colson, the committee would have to " • ’ -n £3O and £4O yearly. He understock a Bill was being considered making it compulsory for swimming to be taught in schools, said Mr. Richards. It should follow, he said, that the Government would contribute to the cost of baths. Mr. Burr said this had been considered.

To a question from Mr. Colson, Mr. Burr said that an inspection of the Waiwakaiho site had been made with the agriculture instructor, Mr. Ridling, members of the borough cotux 1 and th' borough engineer. It wou’d hibeen found necessary to go vevy far up the river to obtain the drop. The charge made for water by the borough council was Is per 1000 gallons, and the baths would use 40,00'0 gallons a week. If the second scheme was pursued, he continued, there would be no outlay for bathing sheds, as the shelter sheds could be used. Further the headmasier could have absolute control. Only about 35 per cent, of the children at schools were able to swim, said the headmaster, Mr. G. A. Lyall. He was looking forward to the day when every child on leaving school would .be able to swim. The most important point in teaching children to swim was daily instruction. Referring to the scheme in hand, Ml. Lyall said it entailed raising a large amount of money and householders would have to pay for it. Both Waitara and Wanganui borough councils supplied water free for baths. In Wanganui there were as many as ten baths. He was of opinion that it it were intended to go on with the scheme further representations to the council should be made. The motion that the council be approached was carried.