RECORD BATHS YEAR

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1933, Page 3

RECORD BATHS YEAR

SALT WATER POOL POPULAR £2OO REACHED FOR FIRST TIME. £34 MORE THAN LAST YEAR. . ' O'’ The most successful year the New Plymouth public saltwater baths - have ever experienced came to -in end yesterday. For the first time the receipts topped the £2OO mark and showed an increase of almost exactly 18 per cent, over last year’s figures. This season January’s receipts totalled over £5O, the previous record month having been November, 1931, with £4B 13s lid. The baths have been very popular, however, throughout the year and until April every month showed receipts over £2O. Two reasons for the record inonth were the Taranaki centre championships on January 25 and ' the Fitzroy Surf Club’s carnival on January 21, both of which were very successful and netted about £7 for the baths on a 10 per cent basis. The improved accommodation enabled more to be seated. The main cause of the record month and of the whole season is, however, in the opinion of Mr. E. Meuli, custodian, the growing interest taken by parents in the aquatic doings of their children. / “Learn to swim week, the efforts of swimming clubs and the tests for the certificates all created much interest among parents,” said Mr. Meuli to a News representative, “and the result was an increase in the number of enthusiastic parents ■ attending .club nights and school sessions.” . / \ The week-end saw the usual coterie of early morning swimmers present, there being nearly 20 at the baths. The occasion was given a carnival spirit with streamers and confetti and, although the temperature of the -water was only 56 degrees, the swim was none the less enjoyable. The temperature has been beIbw 60 degrees, however, on only the past few days and until then had been over 60 degrees consistently. Now that the baths are closed the pool will be emptied, cleaned and whitewashed and maintenance work done. Hot baths are available, throughout the winter but those who add swimming to their list of winter sports will have to take to beach or river.

The figures for the year are:— 1932-33 1931-32 Season Season £ s d £ s d October 28 0 2 15 14 1 November 33 10 6 48 13 11 December ....... 34 3 5 28 4 11 January 53 12 2 35 12 2 February 29 2 8 21 15 8 March 20 14 3 14 13 i April 3 16 7 4 1 0 Totals £202 19 4 £168 14 10 Increase, £34 4s 6d.