GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20893, 24 November 1937, Page 6

GERALDINE

CHILDREN AT BATHS QUESTION OF SUPERVISION The opinion that parents should share the responsibility of arranging for adequate supervision when children were using the baths was expressed during a discussion at the annual meeting of members of the Geraldine Swimming Club on Monday evening, The Club agreed that a meeting of women Should be convened at which some definite arrangement could be made in regard to supervision of the children. The acting secretary, Mr D. C. McKechnie, read a letter from the secretary of the Geraldine Domain Board in regard to responsibility for accidents at the baths, and quoting the borough by-laws which stated that children using the baths while attending school or during the school holidays must be attended by some adult person appointed by the School Committee or headmaster of the school. A further by-law seated that the Council did not hold itself responsible for any accidents occurring to persons frequenting the baths. The president (Mr J. D. McKechnie): This is a matter which has given me a great deal of concern, especially since the beginning of this season when such a large number of children have been using the baths. I feel that the parents of the children should take some active interest in that direction; we must have some voluntary system of supervision at the baths, and it must be impressed upon the parents that they should take part in providing that supervision. I feel that the ladies should hold a meeting to discuss the matter and to arrange to help in regard to supervision at the baths. Personally, I endeavour to go to the baths every afternoon after 4 o’clock, but we should have some proper system of control as we never know wher an accident might happen. Some people think that this matter is the responsibility of the club, but, with our small subscription and revenue we could not possibly engage a full-time caretaker. If parents interested would only come in behind the Club in this matter a satisfactory system of voluntary control could be arranged. In view of the fact that the children are so keen and that we are endeavouring to teach them to swim, the parents' should stand behind the Club by helping in this manner.

Mr J. G. D. Willcocks: Could we not stop the children from going beyond a certain mark on the baths? The president: I doubt it. The children- race round the baths after bathing. They are really enjoying themselves. The boys know all the latest holds, and we could not stop themi.mhiying about on the grass surronuuutfg the baths.

Mr T. M. Hutt: Is there any lifesaving apparatus at the baths? Tire president: There is only a lifesaving hook. I have asked a member of the Timaru Harbour Board to endeavour to secure a second-hand lifebuoy. Mr A. J. Burmester moved that the president convene a meeting of women to endeavour to arrange a system of voluntary supervision.

Mr T. M. Hutt seconded th? motion. Mr F. W. Morgan: They did that last season.

Mr D. C. McKechnie: The difficulty is that a break-down might occur and parents would think there was an adult at the baths when such was not the case. A proper schedule would have to be arranged. Mr T. M. Hutt: Could we not charge a levy on each family to contribute to the cost of a caretaker?

Mr L. S. R. King: It would cost a large amount. Miss Joan Lapthorn: It is hard enough to raise the subscriptions without making a levy. Mr J. Stevenson: We will get a better response now that we have clean water.

Mr A. J. Burmester: Is there any chance of securing assistance from the Minister of Internal Affairs? If we explain that the Club is not in a position to pay full wages, we might be able to get a man who is receiving an invalidity pension. Mr T. M. Hutt: The Minister might look at the matter with sympathy. Mr D. C. McKechnie: Could we not throw the responsibility on the Domain Board and let them go into the matter of a caretaker?

The president: The Board will not take any responsibility. Dr. G. W. Curtis: Surely it is the responsibility of the individual parents! Mr T. M. Hutt: If all the parents were members they would be able to decide in the matter. Parents should shoulder some of the responsibility. The motion was carried unanimously.

TROUBLE AT GARDEN PARTY Association with a disturbance which occurred at a recent garden party was disclaimed by members of the Geraldine District Band at a meeting of the Geraldine Band Management Committee on Monday evening. After an investigation the chairman, Mr W. A. Sherratt, informed newspaper representatives yesterday thaf his Committee was satisfied that the trouble had not been caused by the Band.