View report page

cannot do this because it is not safe, and there
is no place for them. I suppose some of them
still resort to the Maiden River when and where
they can, but they are mostly trespassing when
they do so, and the delight of it should be, even
if it is not, tempered by the knowledge that
sewage effluents are now being discharged into
the stream. Girls have no chance at all.
A large, commodious and perfectly safe open
air swimming bath could easily be provided
here in some readily accessible and not too distant
part of the district. I have been looking round
and have two possible sites in my mind that
appear to me to be in every way suitable, and so
far as I am able to form an estimate, I do not
think the expense would be at all a heavy one,
quite the contrary. For obvious reasons I do not
here make mention of where they are, but if such
a bathing place could be provided and inducements
be forthcoming, as no doubt they would,
to learn swimming, then I consider it would be
a great public benefit to the whole neighbourhood.
Presently there will be, I presume, suggestions
for a Coronation Memorial, and this proposal
might be debated on its merits, but if not
acceptable in that respect, it can be and should
be provided by the ratepayers for their own use
and enjoyment.
43