Inaugural Ceremony at Hongkew The open-air swimming bath, situated on a plot of land which will shortly become a part of Hongkew Park, was opened on Monday evening by Mr. H. G. Simms, Chairman of the Council, who himself declared: the new bath open by taking the initial swim.
After ascending the diving stand, Mr. Simms contemplated the water for a moment from the top (15-ft.) step. He then cautiously walked down to the seven foot stage, from which he jumped in, the whole performance being greatly enjoyed by the spectators. Among those present at the unusual ceremony were Mr. OE. Harpur, of the Public Works Department, Dr. 0. N. Davis, Commissioner of Public Health, whose department will henceforth be responsible for the administration of the bath, and the Rev. Bro. Faust, of the Parks Committee. Shortly afterwards over 100 members of the public enjoyed a swim.
he open-air bath is situated in a pretty and_ sheltered lot off Kiangwan Road. With a capacity of over a million gallons, the hath took three days to fill. Its length is 175ft. and breadth 75ft., while the depth is respectively 2ft. 6in. and ft. at the shallow and deep ends. It is oval in shape, looking like an elongated amphitheatre. At the shallow end there is a big fountain with rails round the semi-circular end, from which jets of water play upon the bathers. A spring diving board and standing dive 15ft. high are installed at the opposite end.
On the side near which the new line of the Kiangwan Road will run stand the dressing rooms for women and men, where also shower baths and lavatories are provided. A slight modification of the original planning of the accommodation haying taken place, this building will not be opened to the public just yet. Temporary dressing rooms in the form of matsheds have, however, been erected to serve the present needs of bathers. An entrance fee of 20 cents is being charged for the use of the bath.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.