DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL BATHS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12936, 29 November 1909, Page 7

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL BATHS.

TO OPEN DECEMBER 11. TO OPEN, DECEMBER 11th. The new swimming baths at the Wan- ; ganui District High School, which will be ' opened on December 11th, are. a monument ' to the entrusiasm and energy of those 1 who have carried the project through. It will be remembered that, a little over 12 1 > months ago, the late Mr S. S. Griffiths 1 — whode services in encouraging the art of swimming have been of the greatest value — launched a movement for providing ! the school with up-to-date facilities for the thorough teaching of swimming. Though Mr Griffiths was removed by death, he had an able and energetic successor in [ Mr D. McFarlane, and to these two gentlemen every praise is due for equipping [ the 3chool with a bath, the equal of which perhaps no other school in the Dominion possesses. Tho financing of the undertaking was no light matter, but the efforts put forward have been attended by a happy result, for, beyond a few pounds' shortage which further subscriptions are diminishing from day to day, the baths will be opened free of dobt. Subscriptions were 1 first invited from the public, and these were liberally forthcoming. The m^^t move was the holding of a bazaar, which was run by an enthusiastic committee of ladies and gentlemen under the chairman,hip of Mr ". T. Muir. Tie money from these sources was supplemented by a Government subsidy, and the total in hand then iustified the committee in letting a contract for tho construction of the baths for the sura of .£592. With extras, the total cost amounts to .£635, and, as before ■stated, the total amount is in the committee's hands, except for a few pounds, which ought soon to be forthcoming. The contractors, Messrs Woolston and Hewetson (builders), J. Jones (concrete and plastering), and Burrell and Sigley (plumbing), have carried out their work well, and on the score of workmanship no fault could be found by the most fastidious. The architect for the baths was Mr A. McFarlane, senr.— whose generous offer of his services gratis will be thoroughly appreciated by all — and that gentleman is to be complimented on the excellent arrangements he has designed, and on the excellent ideas he has embodied in the plans. There are two baths — the main swimming bath, and a "baby" bath. The main bath is 25 yards in length and 13£ yards in breadth, with a depth shelving from 7ft 6in to 3ft 6in. In order that in diving, the greatest depth may be where the diver is at the lowest point of his plunge, the deepest part of the bath is 12ft out from the sill. Handrails run all round the oath, with galvanised iron upright ladders at each end. At the deeper end, just under the "nosing," there is an overflow slit running completely across the width of the bath. Thus the overflow will completely clear the whole surface of the water from any debris which may be floating on it. The outlet is at one side of the bath, every part of the floor sloping towards it, so that the flushing shall be thoroughly complete. A sluice valve controls both this and the overflow outlet. Separated from the main bath by a concrete wall is the "baby" bath, 13-J yards long and Bft wide. This is for the benefit of the smaller scholars and those who cannot swim, and in it instruction can be carried on free from the more expert ones. The depth here is from 2ft to 3ft, the deepest portion being the 'centre of the bath. At one side, and at one end of the baths are dressing sheds, one being open, while that at the end is enclosed, to allow of iressing during sports. There are thr°e roomy dressing boxes, two 6hower baths, ilso lavatory accommoda,tion. On the >therwise unoccupied portions of the enclosure are seats for spectators, placed »allery-wise, which will accommodate a large number. Every facility has been provided to ensure cleanliness, and as the loor everywhere falls to channels, the whole can be made perfectly clean by hosing. At one end of the enclosure will be placed a white marble tablet, bearing the following words : — IN Memory of v SAMUEL SAYNOR GRIFFITHS, The generous Patron of the Life-saving art of Swimming, and Founder of these Baths. 1909. Rules and regulations for th© control of the baths have been drawn up to allow of their use both for instruction and amusement under the supervision of the tea chars,. During certain hours the baths wiJl be open to the public, separate times of the day being set apart for ladies and for gentlemen, and the terms for same will be those ruling at the Corporation baths. A short ceremony will be held at the opening, when the Chairman of the Education Board and the Mayor will be nresent, the latter declaring the baths open. The ] Wanganui Swimming Club has drawn up a snorts programme to follow. A few official invitations have been issued, but outside these there will be no formal inviting, and as many of the public, or of parents or friends of the school as desire to be present will T>e cordially welcomed. It only remains to heartily congratulate all who have interested themselves on the result of their labours. The school has every reason to feel proud of its fine baths, and we have no doubt that before very long its usefulness will lead to other schools being equipped in a similar manner.