OPENING OF THE YALDHUEST BATH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5740, 7 December 1896, Page 2

OPENING OF THE YALDHUEST BATH.

A. drag 1 loaded with members of the Christchurch Swimming Club journeyed to Yaldhurst on Saturday afternoon, to assist at the opening of the new swimming bath. A series of scratch races, exercises in fancy swimming and diving and rescue competitions was held during 1 the afternoon, under the capable management of Mr A. Francis. Pour lady members of the Christchurch Club gave a very neat exhibitiouof plain swimming.in which their Prebbleton sisters evinced great interest. Four small boys showed careful training in the treatment of the apparently drowned, and also in rescue swimming with a live subject. Tea, cake, and strawberries and cream were provided by the ladies of the district, who did a brisk bvisiness. The bath is of concrete having a depth of seven feet at one end, and three feet at the other. It is twenty-five yards long and eight yards wide, and is supplied with water from the Waiinakariri water-race. The bath is surrounded by a well-built wooden fence, and the sides are neatly laid down with grass. Dressing-rooms are provided at the eastern end of the enclosure. The amount of money actually spent on the bath and adjuncts was .£l2O, which was raised by voluntary subscriptions in the immediate district. This sum, however, by no means represents the total value of the work that has been done, for all the necessary clearing and excavation were done by the voluntary labour of the residents. This equalled the work of twenty men for three days, and the work of five horseteams for the same period. The bath was formally opened by Mr Turner, while Mr William Guy has acted as a most energetic honorary secretary and treasurer to the undertaking.