SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 100, 24 October 1925, Page 18

SWIMMING

By " Header "

LATEST RETURNS

OVER SEVEN THOUSAND

SWIMMERS

CANTEHBUIIY LEADS THE WAY

At the end of last season the New Zealand Council undertook tho compiling of complete statistics in referonce to tho sport they control, aud, although this is the first occasion on which such an attempt whs mado, the results are decidedly interesting. Tho total membership of nil clubs throughout the Dominion runs to the number of 7422, of which tho not- membership (i.e., declared) is 6668, comprising 3298 seniors and 3370 juniors. Canterbury leads tho way with 1582, followed by Hawkes Bay with 1492, then coming Auckland 965, Otago 509, Wellington 490, M;m;nvatu 452, Taranaki 450, Wtsstland 394, Wanganui 262, and South Canterbury . 70. On the gross membership Wellington displaces Otago with 772 members as against 590, the latter province apparently not catering for associate membership. Wellington easily leads in this phnso of membership with 282, the next being Canterbury with 198.. The latter centre, however, . again leads with the number of clubs affiliated,, the figures being Canterbury 17, Hawkes Bay, Auckland, and Wellington 10 each, Taranaki 9, Manawatu and Wanganui 8 ench, Otago and Westland 5 each, and South Cnnter'bury 3, si total of 85 affiliated clubs, which in proportion to our population is the highest in the world. The largest club membership is that of Waitomata (Auckland), who have a fine total of 327, two other good efforts being those >oi" Napier .Boys' High School 279 and lloretaunga (Hastings) 263. Next in order'come Hokitika 230, Worser Bay 222, United (Christchurch) 211, Kiwi (Otago) 203, Napier Technical 200. East Christchurch 190, Hastings Technical 190, Evans Bay 174, Teawa (Napier) 169, , St. Clnir 160, Somerficld (Christchurch), 157, and Addington 151. Of the total declared membership ladies and girls represent 1772, towards which Wellington can only- contribute 68, a very small figure indeed, and one that calls for attention on the part of the local centre. , , The Nelson and South Auckland Cen-, tres have not forwarded any returns for inclusion in the above' figures', and appear to be defunct organisations. As a result of a motion ' adopted at lust conference both of these centres will be deprived" of voting power on the council until such time as they function in a proper manner. In the cusp o'. Nelson this is likely to be very soon, as the proposal' to erect a' tepid swimming .bath.has been carried, and in addition word has been received from there by the local centres asking for a .copy of its rules, which would indicate that, a revival in the sport is beim* effected. . ° Khandallah Pool. . h. e new .bathing pool at Khandallah, which is likely to be a very popular spot during the season, will be the scene o an opening afternoon on Saturday, 7th November. Although no pro gramme has been drawn up, if ativ events are likely to be contested, it is hoped to arrange, for some, of the best local talent (swimmers -aud , divers)- to gc^ out and give exhibitions, etc. By doing this interest in the sport will have the effect' of bringing into beinL. a new club. ° Tho banner representing the water polo championship has been in existence for many years, so many, in f act) that it is showing signs of its l ong sev l vco. It has now been decided to replace the banner with a new trophy .which is be.ng procured in 'England, and one that is expected' to be quite m keeping with the object. it will be lostered and in all probability will competed for. The old banner is to be preserved, and will bo in the safe keeping of the Canterbury Centre, who have earned that privilege by virtue of havrVonfi" n so I many times- Itom 1892 to 1908 the championship was contested by clubs, Uhnstchureh winnin. five ■ \ i', auSMui three, Northern (Auckland) and Swifts (Welling once. From igO9 onwards' up to" the present season Canterbury have only sustained defeat on one occasion, and 1 ■that was in 1915, when the H.'uvkes pay Centre were successful. It is a very fine record on tho part of the southern centre, and from the standard of play generally exhibited by their play, firs it is quite on the cards that they will be the first to Have lhei>> names engraved on the new trophy Local supporters who saw tho 1908 Swifts Club team in action would welcome another combination of the same class, in which case it would not require much speculation as to who the winners this season would be. Annual Meeting of Centre. The annual meeting of the centre will be held on Thursday, sth November jind as there is likely to bo several matters come up for discussion the meeting wiH commence sharp to time. Club secretaries are reminded of the centre rule which provides for a return of the lollowing particulars :-(l) The name and addresses of the club's delegates for the new season; (2) tlio name and address of the secretary; (3) the number o. financial members at the end of 'the previous season; and (4) a copy of the annual report and balance-sheet. The provision calling f or tho list of members (active, associate, or. honorary), can be fulfilled when the special forms tor that purpose are sent out to club secretaries. The Lyall Bay Club will hold its oliioial opening next Saturday afternoon ;i (. Lyall Bay w l, oll U|e jj „ out will be held. Unheralded and without, ostentation, ono of the most, romantic and valorous figures of the war, I'.ieiit.-Colonel Frey i)org, V.C., ot Wellington, New Zealand, engaged in a lorri/iu struggle with the English Channel in an ;ill.cjnipt, lo emulate the historic f<;ii(, of CnpUiu Webb, 50 years ago, says „ J jom lou exchange, uith LUv, doloi-miivilion lim | K ,.j(, wiuY.i, rharacti'i-ised his brilliant exploits on the battlefield, he swam lo within a i'|iiartcr of h. mile of hits goal. Then, exhausted by his 17 hours' effort, aud with the tide inexorably set against him, he was I compelled to give up,.