SWIMMING ASSOCIATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 227, 29 October 1914, Page 9

SWIMMING ASSOCIATION.

CANTERBURY CENTRE. ANNUAL MEETING. The fourteenth annual general meeting of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association was held in the dub rooms, Tepid Baths, last evening, Mr W. E. D. Bishop presiding over a large attendance of delegates. In the annual report it was stated that the standard of swimming during the past year was greatly improved. The previous season closed with a membership of 21 clubs, and there had been no additions during the year. During the season a new bath had been opened at Belfast, and it was understood that a club would be formed in the near future. Generally speaking, the success of the centre's "representatives at the championship meeting at Blenheim was -remarkably good, and the centre desired to place on record the exceedingly capable manner in which Mr E. Eldridge, as manager of the Canterbury team, discharged his duties. A very decided improvement was reported in the number of provincial championships during the season. The popularity of these events and the interest taken in their decisions added considerably to the interest of the various carnivals at which they were decided. During the year, 600 school proficiency certificates were distributed by the centre, a record number. The centre also desired to record its appreciation of the hospitality shown to all visitors, and the services rendered by all officials of the country clubs in connection with the carnivals. During the year, nineteen carnivals were held, and five permits were issued for various meetings, the figures.. showing an increase of five carnivals. A very satisfactory feature of the year's racing was the large amount of interest taken by younger swimmers in the sport. The outlook for the coming season was very bright, and the visit of the world's champion, Duke Kahana J moku, would stimulate considerable interest. Several prominent swimmers would be missing this season, having joined the Expeditionary Force, among them being Messrs W. E. Cookson and G. Gemmell. The financial statement showed a balance of assets over liabilities of £139 2/7. The General Account showed a credit balance of 36 9/9, and the Touring Account a credit of £9 12/10. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman threw out, as a suggestion, that carnivals in the future should be made more interesting to the general public. He also referred to the loss, owing to the war, of large numbers of the centre's most ae-. tive members, but instead of its being a matter of regret, the centre should be proud to think that its members were doing something in upholding the honour of the Empire. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follow: —President, Mr W. E. D. Bishop; vice-presi-dent, Mr F. Bowie*; delegate to the N.S.A.S.A., Mr F. Stokes; local officer,

!Mr E. Eldridge; lion, handieapper, Mr Walter Johnson; hon. secretary, Mr A. G. Sanderson; hon. treasurer, Mr_ E. Eldridge; hon. auditor, Mr E. O. Duncan; polo selector, Mr C. H. Rich; Permit Committee and Polo Committee, Messrs C. H. Eich, C. Atkinson, D. Coulter, and A. G. Sanderson; Executive Committee, Messrs E. Eldridge, A. J. -Flanagan, J. Twomeyf diving, judges,, Messrs G. Eeece, W. E. D. Bishop, A. Brunsden, A. Calvert, W. Johnson, and E. Eldridge. f The Canterbury Head Centre of the j Royal Life-saving Society wrote, stat--1 ing that in consequence of the j N.Z.A.S.A. withholding the Government grant for life-saving, it would not undertake to conduct the Sir John Hall Shield competition this season. The letter was received, and it was decided to hold the competition prior to the Christmas holidays. On the motion of Mr E. Nor don, it was decided to promote a carnival in aid' of the Mayor's Patriotic Fund, such carnival to be the fkst of the season, and, if possible,'.be held on Show night. It was agreed to ask the assistance of the New Brighton Surf Club and the Sumner Surf Club, and a Special Committee was set up, consisting of Messrs Stokes, Bryant, Nordon, and the captain of the Sumner Surf Club, in addition ,to the Executive Committee. -At a subsequent meeting of the committee, the following programme was arranged for the Patriotic Swimmifig Carnival on Show night: —33 l-3yds Inter-club, 33 l-3yds Ladies' Inter-club, Polo Match, Alarm Race by members of the New Brighton and Sumner Surf Clubs, Tub Race, Relay Race, Diving, and Oldtimers' Race (33 l-3yds). Entries will close with the secretary of the centre at the Tepid Baths on November 7, at 5 p.m. Carnival dates as follow were granted:—Waltham, January 9; Sydenham, January 16; Rangiora, January 23; Ash- • burton, January 28; Richmond, January 30; Opawa, February 6; Linwood, February 27; Somerfield, March 6. The 50yds and the 100 yds Provincial Championships were granted to Ashburton and Tinwald, respectively, while the race for the Harris Cup was applied for and granted to.Linwood, at its carnival on February 27. The dates for the Schoo'lboys' Championships were fixed for February 6, 20, i 27, and March 6, and it was decided to I ask the Christehu.rch Ladies' Club to ! conduct _ the Schoolgirls' Championships. It was resolved, in the event of the Lyttelton Club ,not holding a carnival on New Year's Day, in the Graving I Dock, that the executive should arrange ; one.