LEARN TO SWIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 177, 29 July 1938, Page 13

LEARN TO SWIM.

SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN. THIRTEEN THOUSAND TAUGHT AUCKLAND'S BIG SHARE. As a result of the learn-to-swim campaign throughout New Zealand in December last, 12,907 children and adulte were certified as having a practical knowledge of swimming, according to a report received from the National Committee of bwimming and Life-saving last night by lts branch in Auckland. The Auckland district, witlh 5000 learners, had the best record, the returns from the various districts being as follow:—Auckland, 5000; Otago, 2240; Taranaki, 1441; Wellington, 071; Waikato, 531; Ashburton, 506: Hawkes Bay, 500; Nelson and Marlborough, 471; Gisborne, 320; South Canterbury, 224; Southland, 200; West Coast (South Island), 168; Manawatu, 163: North Canterbury, 160. The splendid work performed by school teachers and by a small army of volunteer workers cannot be too highly praised, stated the report. Their co-operation made possible the teaching of children in remote places never before reached by any such campaign. The district committees worked with loyalty and enthusiasm. The lack of facilities was apparently responsible for the fact that a large percentage of children was still unable to swim. It was considered vitally necessary that all schools should have as part of their equipment suitable swimming pools or baths, however small, where the pupils could receive adequate instruction and enjoy the full benefits of swimming. Two instances ot enthusiasm were referred to by the national committee. A school teaoher instructed his pupils in a 800-gallon cheese va*» and a young girl cycled 20 miles for tuition. The success of the Auckland branch in obtaining the best results was attributed by the chairman, Mr. T. C. Hobbs-Jones, to the branch's organisation, and the cooperation among the representatives of the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, the Auckland Head Centre of the Royal Lifesaving Society and the Surf Life-saving Association (Auckland). The branch agreed to recommend that the next campaign should be held in February, 1939.