Swimming group, Marine Parade
Current rights
Public Domain
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Object detail
About this object
A photograph of a group of young men and boys on the Marine Parade foreshore in front of the bathing tents.
The tents were used as changing cubicles prior to the development of the Municipal Baths in 1909. The young men are posing in front of the men's changing tent, at that time the custodian was a Mr Robert (Bob) Lynam.
In the background houses on Bluff Hill are visible.
The Clive Flood Memorial is visible at the right in the background of the image just above a changing screen.
Photographer unknown.
Date, between 1897 and 1908.
The tents were used as changing cubicles prior to the development of the Municipal Baths in 1909. The young men are posing in front of the men's changing tent, at that time the custodian was a Mr Robert (Bob) Lynam.
In the background houses on Bluff Hill are visible.
The Clive Flood Memorial is visible at the right in the background of the image just above a changing screen.
Photographer unknown.
Date, between 1897 and 1908.
Production technique
Media/Materials description
Black and white photograph mounted on card.
Measurements
Height x Width: 110 x 157mm
Height x Width: 195 x 249mm
Height x Width: 195 x 249mm
Signature/Inscription
J.B. Estate, Stamp, Stamped
Miss Carrie Jones
Mr Bob Lynam were in charge of the cubicled bathing tents used before the opening of the Baths in 1909.
Flood Memorial 1897 showing over the end of the tent.
This is Mr Lynams's Tent
The Post Office Staff had one of their own also., Inscription, Handwritten
"The Tents" Predecessors to the Baths (To the Editor)
Sir, - Your article in Saturday's paper concerning the late Robert Lynam was of great interest to me. My mother, Mrs Flora Spiller, a pioneer of Napier, remembers the wreck of the Northumberland. However, Bob Lynam was not custodian of the Municipal Baths at the time, 1888. The baths were built in 1908, and I attended the official opening in 1909. Before that date there were two large marquees standing on the site of today's paddling-pool. They were known as "the tents" and were divided into cubicles for the use of swimmers. We paid, I think, two pence for the privilege of using the tents as dressing-rooms. Bob Lynam was custodian of the men's tent and Emily Redward controlled the ladies section. From three years of age I used the tent until the baths were built. Bob and Emily were everybody's friends, and I well recall Bob's wiry figure in a neck-to-knee bathing costume of faded blue cotton - sleeves 'n' all. Another memory of Bob was his presence at any outdoor celebration. He would be dressed in comic make-up, and he would dash about in the crowd dealing resounding slaps to the unwary with an inflated bullock's bladder which he carried on these occasions. The tents were dismantled on the completion of the swimming baths - I am, etc., (Mrs) H Biddle.
Napier May 26, 1957., Printed, Printed
Miss Carrie Jones
Mr Bob Lynam were in charge of the cubicled bathing tents used before the opening of the Baths in 1909.
Flood Memorial 1897 showing over the end of the tent.
This is Mr Lynams's Tent
The Post Office Staff had one of their own also., Inscription, Handwritten
"The Tents" Predecessors to the Baths (To the Editor)
Sir, - Your article in Saturday's paper concerning the late Robert Lynam was of great interest to me. My mother, Mrs Flora Spiller, a pioneer of Napier, remembers the wreck of the Northumberland. However, Bob Lynam was not custodian of the Municipal Baths at the time, 1888. The baths were built in 1908, and I attended the official opening in 1909. Before that date there were two large marquees standing on the site of today's paddling-pool. They were known as "the tents" and were divided into cubicles for the use of swimmers. We paid, I think, two pence for the privilege of using the tents as dressing-rooms. Bob Lynam was custodian of the men's tent and Emily Redward controlled the ladies section. From three years of age I used the tent until the baths were built. Bob and Emily were everybody's friends, and I well recall Bob's wiry figure in a neck-to-knee bathing costume of faded blue cotton - sleeves 'n' all. Another memory of Bob was his presence at any outdoor celebration. He would be dressed in comic make-up, and he would dash about in the crowd dealing resounding slaps to the unwary with an inflated bullock's bladder which he carried on these occasions. The tents were dismantled on the completion of the swimming baths - I am, etc., (Mrs) H Biddle.
Napier May 26, 1957., Printed, Printed
Classification terms
Subject period
Subject date
1897-1908
Current rights
Caption
Collection of Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi, 1761
Credit Line
gifted by Mrs I L Browning
Other number(s)
m56/29 a, 1761, 77145
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