SWIMMING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 285, 1 December 1936, Page 17

SWIMMING.

DOMINION COUNCIL PROPOSAL BY OTAGO. CHANGE OF HEADQUARTERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. The Otago proposal to move the headquarters of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association away from Christchurch was before the council of the association at the annual meeting this evening. On behalf of the Otago Centre, Mr. A. T. Stokes moved that the headquarters be moved from Christchurch. The council, he said, had not been able to arrange for any tour by overseas swimmers, yet the centres had done so successfully. Otago administrators felt that they had been, slighted, particularly over the case of P. E. Mathieson. the Otago nominee for the Olympic Games. They felt that they were entitled to more consideration from the council.

Delegates from the Wellington, Canteibury, West Coast, Wanganui, Nelson, Manawatu, Southland and South Auckland Centres said that they had been instructed to oppose the motion. They expressed confidence in the council as at present constituted.

Mr. B. O'Neill, the secretary, said it was untrue that Wellington was dissatisfied- Only one member of the Wellington Association was opposed to the present council. The Otago Centre appeared to believe that Mathieson's claims to inclusion in the Olympic team had been turned down because lie (Mr. O'Neill) did not favour them. This definitely was not so. He whs a servant of the council, and the council acted 011 the opinions of every centre, except Otago. When it refused Mathieson's nomination the motion was rejected, Mr. Stokes being tbe only member to vote for it.

A new centre, to be known as the Bay of Plenty Centre, was established. Ihe area was formerly part of the South Auckland district, which proposed the formation of the new centre.

Officers elected were:—Deputy president, Mr. F. G. Dunn: North Island representative, Mr. P. Coira; representative 011 national swimming, life-saving aud suit committee, Mi". P- Coira; treasurer, Mr. P. G. Dunn; representative on the International Swimming Federation, Mr. John Hodgson; handicapper, Mr. P. Coira; auditor. .Mr. R. L. Hicks; secretary, Mr. B. O'Neill: representatives on the Olympic and British Empire Games Association. Messrs. P. Coira, P. N. Bundle. V N. Oldersliaw. The election of president was deferred.

Mr. H. Goldsmith moved on behalf ol the Auckland Centre a proposal to abolish the 1/ registration fee at present set aside for the overseas fund. \ oting on the motion was even, but as' a three-tilths majority is required for alterations to the rules it was not carried

Mr O'Neill reported that there was a possibility of a visit of American swimmers to Australia. He had written to Australia seeking information, so that the possibility of bringing the visitors to New Zealand could be investigated. The Maori championships in the new season were allotted to the Bay of 1 lent} Centre.