SWIMMING.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 21

SWIMMING.

Charlton's sudden announcement that •' lie has decided to give up swimming will ' cause a great deal of disappointment _ ' in Australia, as much was expected of him. He seems quite decided, and apparently he has given no definite reason for his decision. It is to be hoped thnt he will change his mind, for Australian 1 people will not like to see him fade out in this way after having pone to the I expense of sending him to the Olympir Games. . I Johnny Weieniuller, the world's sprint, i champion up to 440 yards, is likeW to i visit Australia, and it is hoped New ! Zealand (says the "New Zealand Obser- . ver'M. His advent would prove the ; greatest drawing card in the history of i swimming. His record i-j wonderful, and ! his methods of propulsion would be a I' great source of interest to all 6wim--1 mers. If Weismuller does not make the r trip, it is certain that the Japanese t . crack, Takaiahi, will come. The Japan- .; pse showed great form at the Olympic ,t'| Games, )fut, of course, he would tm ! nothing like the attraction of tiie . American flier. i In the matter of swimming facilities i there are few towns the size of Hastings r so badly provided (complains a Hawke's ri Bay paper), and with the sea not handy s enough for an early morning dip it ',' seems a great pity that a borough which c I is so progressive in other respects should s• be so lacking in this respect. An effort I was made last season to have up-to-date V tepid baths erected, and it was intended f that a loan for this purpose should be i included in the loan proposals. Had it :. been included, there seems lfxtle doubt V that it would have been carried, for t every ratepayer must agree that Hastt ings is badly in need of good baths. k However, the council in its wisdom, or ), otherwise, decided to cut out the prot posal for baths, and so swimmers will f have to be content this season with the facilities offering