MISS FRASER ARRIVES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29695, 13 December 1961, Page 14

MISS FRASER ARRIVES

Tiring Trip From Invercargill Looking wan and tired after a rough air trip from Invercargill, the world’s fastest swimmer, Dawn Fraser, arrived in Christchurch last night. Exhaustion forced her to cancel arrangements to meet members of the Canterbury Swimming Centre at »ts quarterly meeting last night. She had a late dinner at her hotel with her tour companion, 15-year-old Nola Shepherd, Mrs Shepherd, their chaperon, the president of the Canterbury Centre (Mr M. R. Duckmanton) and Mrs Duckmanton, before going to bed soon after 8 p.m. An early night and plenty of rest were essential, she said, if she was to make a good showing at the Centennial Pool tonight. The two girls, both South Australians, said they were looking forward to competing in the pool before the Canterbury public. Light rain was falling as the swimmers stepped from the aircraft at Harewood, to be met by Mr and Mrs Duckmanton, the secretary of the New' Zealand Amateur Swimming Association (Miss D. Brown), and the secretary of the Canterbury centre (Mr J H. Johnson). After, dinner. Mrs Shepherd paid a courtesy call on the Canterbury centre. She expressed the hope that tonight the swimmers would shake off the bad weather they had experienced during the tour. Centre members, who were discussing the centre’s poor financial position when Mrs Shepherd entered the room, fervently echoed her sentiments. This morning Miss Fraser and Miss Shepherd will see the Centennial Pool for the first time when they go to train. The time of their visit is undisclosed, as they prefer to train without a crowd of spectators present. Miss K. Sawyers Retires (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 12. Miss Kay Sawyers, aged 21. 10 times New Zealand breaststroke champion, 1958 Empire Games representative and one of Auckland's leading prospects for further Empire Gaines honours next year, today' announced her retirement from competitive swimming. Her last two appearances will be against the touring South Australian champion. Miss Nola Shepherd. on Saturday night and at the Onehunga Swimming [Club'l carnival the followling Wednesday.