3-Nation Carnival Proposed

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31775, 4 September 1968, Page 16

3-Nation Carnival Proposed

A three-nation swimming carnival involving teams from Japan, Australia and New Zealand is proposed by the Amateur Swimming Association’s council as a spectacular finale to the Japanese tour of the Dominion early next year.

The proposal is contingent upon the Amateur Swimming Union of Australia accepting a visit of nine days by the Japanese. Australia has asked for more details about the tour.

The council has suggested that the three nations cami-

val should be held in Auckland on February 8. The proposed venues and dates for the other appearances by the Japanese are:— January. 21, Invercargill; 23, Dunedin; 25, Christchurch; 27, Wellington; 29, Palmerston North. February.—l, Hastings: 3, New Plymouth; 5, Morrinsville; 8, Auckland. The Japanese team is expected to consist of 10 competitors, one of whom might be a diver. The council’s finance committee is analysing returns from last summer’s Canadian tour, and if its findings are favourable it is possible that a small New Zealand team will again accompany the touring party throughout the country.

Junior Team.—At a meeting of the council last evening, the convener of the tours committee (Mr B. E. MacKenzie) said a proposal to send a team to the Australian junior championships next season was being kept under review in the event of additional finance becoming available. Another possibility is a visit by a New Zealand team to Canada in May next year. The chairman of the council «Mr A. J. Donaldson), who is at present overseas, will discuss the proposal with officials of the Canadian Swimming Union in Vancouver.

Record.—The council ratified a time of Imin 2.lsec for 100 yd backstroke by Miss G. J. Stirling (Auckland) as senior and junior short course records.