SEA BATHING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13421, 19 October 1907, Page 6

SEA BATHING.

CONVENIENCES TO BE INCREASED. A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held in the Borough Council Chamber last evening to discuss the bathing facilities of Caroline Bay. There were about twenty persons present. « 1 The Mayor, who presided, explained that , he had called the meeting as a means of obtaining the opinions of the public as to the best means of meeting the requirements of the bathing public. The Council last year spent £270 on two bathing sheds, and also bought and "municipalised" the | machines and other apliances previously in use. And still there was a demand for I improvement.. It would be a great help | to have 20 or 30 'machines on the bay, and [ an anchored raft for swimmers to make for and rest on had been suggested to liim. He had not sounded the Council, but believed they would find a man and horse if the public would provide the machines by subscription. He spoke of the amount spent by the Council and by the public at the bay; and pointed out that there were several' classes to be provided for—men swimmers, ladies, families, boys and school girls, and'"mixed" bathers. Mr JT Strachan, who had " run" the bathing appliances for many years, and recently visited the Old Country, being asked to do so, gaven an account of observations he had l made at bathing places there —Brighton, Roker (near .Sunderland), Car- • nonistie tnear Dundee), and Portobello. He had .nowhere seen sands so favourable for bathing as those of Timaru. Bathing machines were the most popular means used, and generally they were very much heavier than was necessary here. Suggestions being asked for a good many of those the invitation. Mr Marchant suggested a shed at the north-end for men, with a 200 ft. stage run out into the water; estimated cost £3CO. Dr Drew approved of machines and suggested two floating rafts, with a line of buoys between them to render bathing safer. He condemned the men's shed, as being closed it was cold, damp and draughty and moreover was always in a filthy condition. All that was needed at the mole was some planking to land on and dress on, with a spring-board or boards. Several others spoke bitterly of the " disgraceful" condition of the shed.

IMr Bards-ley recommended more machines but sadd a horse ivas not necessary. Several speakers thought more machines the greatest need. Some asked for a. men's shed at each end, fitted with fresh water shower.

Councillor Schmidt, looking at the cost, saw the only solution in mixed bathing, so that oversight and management could be concentrated. Mr Cowan said machines would no<; suit deep water swimmers; they would prefer the mole and this needed such improvement as Dr Drew suggested. Mr Newman pointed out that experience in England had proved, that machines were the most popular. The present ladif-s' shed, he pointed out, had become, almost useless on account of the receding pf the. sea. A large proportion of the morning bathing was done from the north mole, and conveniences should be provided there. He recommended machines, with man and horse, first, andsheds to follow. Councillor Satterthwaite pleaded for attention to the needs of children, the most numerous class of bathers. -

The Mayor suggested that there was a large number of people to be catered for who was not ratepayers, and that a canvass should be made for subscriptions, to be subsidised bv the Council, £ for £ with the £l5O they had put on the estimates for the improvement of the bay. He estimated the cost of machines at £l2 to £ls each. But if subscriptions were raised the committee would have a say as to the manner of laying out the money. After further discussion' Mr Fergusson moved, Mr Marchant. seconded and it was carried, that those present be a committee, with power to add to .their .number,, to canvass for subscriptions, to be subsidised bv the Council. The Mayor thought the Council would probably agree to go as far, as £2OO. ~',,. The matter was well threshed out, tne discussion lasting an hour and' a half. At a subsequent meeting of the Council, it was agreed to meet again at 8 p.m. on Monday night at the Council Chamber, to arrange the canvass, each member to bring friends, particularly ladies willing to help. ■ , ' Mr R. Fergusson was appointed secretary and treasurer, and eleven subscriptions were booked, in the room totalling ,±,L*