SWIMMING.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17809, 7 July 1923, Page 16

SWIMMING.

THE AUCKLAND TROUBLE. The Council of the New Ze*laad Amatnttr STrimnirLg- Association mot last evening, Mr W. E D. Bishop presiding:. There were also present:—Messrs J. W. Toomey (Canterbturi, C. Bryant (Wanganci), W. H. Benson N Otago!, F. G. Duim (South Canterbury), K. B. Wheeley (Auckland), J. B. Buchanan (Nelson). M. Bailin (South Auckland), and B. O'Neill (hon. secretary). The Auckland Centre wrote forwarding copies of the minutes of meetings of its executive held in February. _ The letter stated that at a meeting of the- Auckland Centre the unanimous opinion was that all the members were fully cognisant _cf the negotiations leading up to the cf H]i>s2S and Venning, of AastrsJiiThe Centre "protested asanist what it regarded a* the uncalled-for personal attack by Messrs O'Neill and Benson on thepresident o{ the Centre (Mr A. J". Fernandez! and al3o to the term "dummies' applied by Mr O'Neill to the Centre. The letter stated 'hat the Centre's delegate had been instructed to move that Messrs O'Neill and Benson be asked to withdraw the statements complained of. The president remarked that the resolution passed at the last meetinx of the Council was a little bit too wide. ITr Balhn: Bather vague.

The president said it seemed quite clear that the visit bed been Arranged by Mr Fernandez. According to all the reports ilr Fernandez quite candidly accepted the blsrns. Mr Buchanan: Did ws at any time receive the letter that, according- to the minutes, was ordered to be sent?

Mr O'Neill: He did not revive the letter of February Ifith. Jlr Baliin: That is the whole twuole and it is a question whether we have not condoned the offence by cabling. The president: We did r.ot know what the Australian Union was doin*. Mr Dunn said the Auckland Centre, having complied with the demand of the Council in forwarding its minutes, it waa for the Council to ascertain definitely if Mr Fernandez negotiated direct with Mrs Chambers in Sydney. The grievance against the Auckland Centre had Been that it did not forward its minutes, and, the minutes having been supplied, the matter dropped *:> far as they were concerned. The matter seismed now to" be one affecting the chairman only. Mr Wheeley pointed out that on February 15th the Centre had directed that the Council be written to, and the non-receipt of that letter had caused the trouble. The minutes ahowed that the Auckland Csntre was not at fault. If any communication did go to Australia it waa purely a private communication, since the Australian Union was not communicated with. The Council ffiould not interfere in a matter of privato correspondence. The president: You cannot convey an invitation in that way for swimmers to come over here.: . . Mr Wheeley: There was no invitation. The invitation waa contained in our cablegram to Australia. <••■ The president: Mr Kelly saya difforent. He says a number of cablegrams were s«nt. Mr Wheeley: Yea, to Mrs Chambers, but that was not official. The president: That ifl" just the titrable. Mr Dunn said the minutes were not minutes of Centre meeting* but of executive meetings only. Hr Benson: It would he interesting to kno%- the date of the first letter Mr Fernandez wrote to Mrs Chambers on. the matter. -

After further discussion Mr Wheeley moved: "That the Auckland Centre, havinjj forwarded copies of its minutes, no furth<>r action be taken against tbe Centre." This was seconded by Mr BaUin anc'l carried.

Mr Benson moved: "It appearing from the cowespondence and reports of Auckland Centre meetings in the Auckland Press,, that Mr Fernandez irregularly conducted negotiations for the visit of the Australian swimmers, he be requested to give a full explanation of the manner in which the negotiations arose, how they were conducted, and how the- chaperon was selected^" This was seconded by Mr Bryant and earned.

Mr Wheeley moved that Messrs Benson and, O'Neill be asked to withdraw the statements they had made regarding Mr Fernandez and the Auckland Centre The mover said that at the last meetuaz of the council there were remarks made which be .did not think should have been made. «l» , ports of the meeting when the president said se ,, cou £L not admitp p s » reports. Mr Wheeley-. Well, I will speak from memory. It wa* stated by Mn Benson that the chajrman had purposely withheld information from the Auckland Centre and tad acted on his .wn initiative, and Mr ONril teamed the centre "dummies." Mr Wheeley djd not think that such ?emarka were ui accordance with the digniliy of the council. -»»««*hj ut

Billin seconded the motion pro 'forma C?,. 10 ?; h * considered, waa not «,,« which Mr Wheeley should have moved If objection was taken to any wonds used it should have heen made at the time "I would think twice before moving a motion iike that, he said, adding as he. resumed his seat: And now may I withdraw my seconding?" (Laughter.) The president s<ud that if Mr Berwon stated tha', Mr Fernandez acted en h's own initiates ha was expressing an opinion he W6» entitled to.

Mr Benson: I am stated to havo said tnat.Mr Fernandez deliberately or purposely withheld information s \ &{& evidently be had done co. That k all I have to suy. Mr O'Neill said he considered the infer? matron available up to the time of the last meeting had fully justified the view he had expressed that prohatlv the Auckland centre members were "dummies," The motion was lost.

An application from Mrs Salter Jfor re- ! instatement as wn amateur, recommended ~> by the Canterbury centre, was referred to ! the reinstatement committer. j

The secretary reported having cabled to Mr H. Fern, hon. secretary of the A.S.A. (England) his "offer to r« present New Zealand at a meeting of the International Federation in Paris Ink mouth.

The secretary's action was approved. The Feildin* Club wrote guaranteeing £& towards the Olympic Fund. A sub-committee composing Measrt Benson, Bryant, na"d Ballin was set up to report on the present method of conducting the New, Zealand championships from the financial viewpoint.