MISS GWITHA SHAND

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 53, 25 November 1922, Page 16

MISS GWITHA SHAND

POPULAR SWIMMER ' RETURNS Natatorial enthusiasts gathered in numbers at the Town Hall yesterday during lunch hour to assist at the civic reception tendered Miss Gwitha Shand, the New Zealand swimmer, who lowered the world’s record for the 440 yards distance recently at Honolulu, wherj) she went with Miss Pauline Hoeft, as representatives of New Zealand, at th® invitation of the Hawaiian Swimming Club, which has produced another world champion in Duke Kahanamoku. The Mayor (Mr. R. A, Wright, M.P.) said that New Zealand took great pridp in Miss Shand’s achievement, which had astonished the athletic wprld. Until the more scientific methods of training in use in America and th® countries of the Old Country arg adopted, New Zealand would still be held back from showing the true prowess of her athletes, said Councillor Burns, himself an old-time athlete, who voiced the welcome of the City Council. “When Miss Shand lowered th® world’s record for the same distance at the national championships at Wellington in February there were many doubting Thomases, some even in our own country, especially in a section of the Press,” said Mr. Peter Rundle, chairman of the Wellington Swimming Centre. Now, however, the doubts were silenced, as the record of> Miss Shand at Honolulu had been authoritatively accepted in the world’s swimming councils. : Attended by three pace-makers, Mis« Shand will make an attempt on her own record at thg Te Aro Baths this afternoon. Racing will commanc® at 2.30 p.m. Should rain intervenei, the carnival will be held at the Tepid Baths in the evening.