SWIMMING INVITATION TO TOP AUSTRALIANS ISSUED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29339, 19 October 1960, Page 19

SWIMMING INVITATION TO TOP AUSTRALIANS ISSUED

A formal invitation for two leading swimmers to tour New Zealand after the Australian national championships in March of next year has been made to the Australian Swimming Union by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. The invitation has been extended on behalf of the Auckland Swimming Centre, which made initial approaches for the visit. The invitation, which was read to the association's council meeting last evening, suggests that Dawn Fraser and Jon Konrads, two of Australia’s Olympic champions, make the tour, and that their visit last between 10 days and two weeks.

Two appearances are suggested for Auckland, and one each for Wellington and Christchurch. “We believe that both Miss Fraser and Konrads are available and willing to make the tour.” says the invitation.

“We are seeking to boost the public interest in swimming in New Zealand and would like to have the strongest possible combination. A regular inter-change of visits between our two countries can do much to help our younger swimmers." says the letter.

The president (Mr A. J. Donaldson) said it now remained for a reply to be received from the secretary of the union (Mr Burge Phillips). “If we don’t receive a reply, then I feel we should take the matter further and write to the individual States concerned.” Information Sought

Any information which can be gained on the swimming activities of Lord Freyberg in his young days is being sought by Mr Peter Singleton-Gates, an Englishman who is writing a book' on Lord Freyberg's life. In a letter to the association, Mr Singleton-Gates said he was aware that Lord Freyberg was a junior national swimming champion in 1905, and five years later was a senior champion. He is particularly anxious for details of a remarkable swim which Lord Freyberg undertook on the Waihou river when he was. living in Morrinsville.

The matter will be brought up at the annual conference of the association in Christchurch next week-end and a reply sought to the letter. In a letter received from the Professional Coaches’ Association in Auckland aspects of the recent tour by the Australian professional, Don Talbot, were

criticised. It was considered that better results would have been obtained from the tour if swimmers of a higher standard had been used in the demonstrations, said the letter.

“It is heartening to find our own professionals genuinely interested in helping this scheme along, and their comments are more than welcome.” said Mr Donaldson. “I believe that another leading Australian coach, Harry Gallagher, is also interested in coaching in New Zealand.” A report on the Australian national coaching . school at Townsville, Queensland, was received by the council from the Auckland professional. Mr C. R. Williams. Mr Donaldson drew attention to part of the report which noted: "The Australian Swimming Union pays all the expenses, including medical physiotherapy, and vitamins to the value of £BOO were distributed during the school. The union paid board of £6 a week for each swimmer, and they received 5s a day tor out-of-pocket expenses.” Arrangements for the annual conference of delegates were made,final for the coming weekend. Saturday’s proceedings will be conducted In St. Patrick’s Church Hall in Barbadoes street, and on Labour Day delegates will meet in the National Party rooms. A special evening for visiting delegates to meet local swimming officials will be held at the Takahe on Saturday evening, and an invitation has been extended by the Taylor's Mistake Surf Club for delegates to visit there on Sunday. The following national swimming records were approved at last evening’s meeting:— D. Gerrard (Mount Eden), 62sec for the 100 yards junior butterfly on September 29, 68.1 sec for 110 yards junior boys’ butterfly and also for the 110 yards senior butterfly on September 29. K. Dobson (Otahuhu), 719 sec for the 110 yards junior boys’ beckstroke on September 29.