WHERE TO SWIM.

Waipa Post, Volume XVIII, Issue 1009, 21 October 1920, Page 5

WHERE TO SWIM.

TE AWAMUTU'S MUNICIPAL BATHS.

HEALTHFUL RECREATION

With the hot weather approaching few will fail,to welcome with enthusiasm the official opening of Te Awamutu's fine swimming pool, by the Mayor as arranged. The bend in the Mangahoe Stream right in the northwest corner of the new Domain grounds, provides a natural site for swimming baths and the Domain Board was quick to realise and take advantage of these facilities. A comparatively small expenditure from the Domain Board's funds suffices; to complete the work of widening and deepening the stream at this point, while'on the bank two well-appointed dressing sheds have been built. The big bend in the river, at this point formed a peninsula about 50 yards long and it was an easy matter to cut a channel through this strip, through which the water was temporarily diverted leaving the portion of the river bed, where the swimming pool was to be, perfectly dry, and making the necessary excavation work a simple matter. The' earth which was dug-out was thrown out on the south bank where the terrace — lately overgrown by blackberries — was levelled off and now forms a fine grassy lawn, where it as proposed eventually to build a tea kiosk. •

The swimming pool is about a chain wide and 50 yards long. At the downstream end provision has been made for the juvenile bathing community in a stretch of water from two or three feet deep, guarded from the deeper water further down stream by a picket fence; and here the swimming classes from the local school w"ill be able to bathe an safety. The site is in every way an ideal one for a swimming pool. The sun beats right in on the dressing sheds while the willows and other trees growing in the vicinity offer luxuriant shade for lunching parties. In time the lawn will be* planted with palms and flower beds, with a band rotunda in the centre.

Arrangements are Well in hand for a swimming carnival, which besides swimming events will include, highdives, graceful dives, long dives, greasy pole walking,, and grotesquecostume competition. The proceeds will be devoted to the further improvements of the site. The foregoing is something we should take much pleasure in reporting. We recommend the suggestion to the Domain Board—"with power to act." The bend in the river is there as described and could be converted into an ideal swimming pool at a very low cost.