SWIMMING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 246, 23 October 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

SWIMMING.

The following circular has been received by affiliated clubs from the secretary 'of the .Richmond Amateur Swimming Clnb (Christchurch): — 'At the annual general meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, to be held on : the 25th instant, the revised rules will be discussed, and it is to the interest of swimming' and the sport generally that an amended deflation of an amateur swimmer should come into force this season. After giving the matter very serious consideration, my committee have drawn up the following definition, which they believe will give ; universal satisfaction, and trust that your club will see its way to instruct your delegates to support the same at the annual meeting. Definition: "An amateur swimmer is one who has not since the year 1890 competed for a | money prize, wager, or stake bet in any swimming event; who has not taught, pursued, or otherwise assisted in the practice of swimming as a means of pecuniary gain; who has not knowingly and without protest taken part in any swimming cornpe- | tition against one who is not an ama- ! teur swimmer under the aforesaid ! cknises." In support of the above, my committee advance a few of the many reasons why they think you j should assist in carrying this proposal ! through at the annual meeting. Ist. Because swimming is essentially intended as a means of saving life, and ! why should anyone, whether profes- j sional runner, jockey, or cash cyclist, be debarred from learning to swim, and tlius have the power to save their own lives or those of any fellowbeings in danger? 2nd. Because swimming is also a very pleasant and necessary sanitary pastime, and, as almost every bath in Canterbury—if not in New Zealand—is under the control of an amateur swimming club, under the original definition no person who has competed for cash in any branch of athletics, cycling, or gymnastics can enjoy the privileges of bathing and learning to swim. 3rd. Because, by excluding the above persons, we open the way for a cash ' swimming association, which would j certainly be detrimental to the sport. ' On the other hand, by admitting these \ athletes, such would'be prevented, and j swimming will gain enormously in j popularity. 4th. Because swimming j is in every way a. distinct sport of its i own, and therefore need not be go- : verned by the amateur definition of j an athletic or cycling body. Why ! should swimmers not have their own ' definition and one that will suitably i control their own sport? sth. And i finally, because swimming clnb com- j mittees always reserve the right to refuse any person the privilege of membership, and as most elections \ are carried on by ballot, members can . always blackball any undesirable pro- i fessional, notorious in other sports.' j