SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 11, 14 January 1933, Page 18

SWIMMING

By "header" A POPULAR SERVANT

MR. J. CALNAN RETIRES

SERVICES TO SWIMMING

18th January, Greytown Club Carnival. 26th, 27th, 28th January, Junior and Intermediate National Championships, Invereargill. 28th January, Wellington Centre Championships, Te Aro. 4th- February, Peck Shield Harbour Eace. ■ . 11th February, Worser Bay Club Carnival, Te Aro. _ 18th, 20th, 22nd February, Senior National Championships, Napier. 21st February, Annette Kellerman Cup, Napier. 23rd February, Hutt Club Carnival, Riddiford Baths. 4th March, Wellington Club Carnival, Te Aro.

The retirement of Mr. J. Calnan from the office of custodian of the Te Aro Baths removes an officer- who has rendered a very valuable service to the cause of swimming. During the years he filled this position and formerly that of custodian. «t the old Thorndon Esplanade baths, h». was ever ready to give his gervices to any branch of the sport, and apart from his official duties, could always be found rendering assistance to all classes of swimmers. His courtesy and manner made him an extremely popular servant, both with the public and swimmers, and it is safe to say that the city has lost a very capable and efficient officer^ and one whose place it will be hard to fill. Many smart performers have come and gone during the term, he has been employed at the baths, and the majority vi them have been indebted to him for advice, his knowledge enabling hinv to assume the role of coach with distinction. During national championship meetings, a great deal of the success was due to the excellent manner in which the baths and accessories were kept, and, indeed, at all times he and his staff have set a fine standard. The absence of any serious accidents during his terra is a tribute to the vigilant manner in which he performed his duties, and patrons of the baths were always secure in the knowledge of Mr. Calnan's capabilities. One body that owes much to Mr. Calnan is the Wellington Centre, for in addition to the assistance mentioned above he acted as inter-club handicapper for many years. The thoroughness of his work in this direction was in evidence at every carnival, and although he handicapped hundreds of events, it was seldom that any race did not produce a good finish. He had the confidence of the competitors, every one of whom received equal treatment, and his good work cannot easily be forgotten. ,All will join in wishing him' every success in his retirement from a position which he so ably filled, with a trust that he may long be spared to retain an interest in the sport with which he has been so long associated. Coming Events. Now that the holidays are over, centre and club activities, are moving, and although there is no local carnival for another fortnight, there will be a commencement made on Monday evening with the series of games in the water-polo competition, the list of fixtures of which have already appeared in "The Post." Early in. February the annual harbour race for the Peck Shield will take place, followed by the annual carnival of the Worser Bay Club. The senior national championships will be the next important meeting, while the life-saving cluba will be interested in the surf championships, which are to take place at Foxton, con> mencing on the Satnrday after the closing of , the swimming at Napier. In between the two latter contests, the local centre is endeavouring to arrange for the annual contest between Canterbury and Wellington for the Nordern Cup, and if the southerners are agreeable, the competition will be held at the Eiddif ord Baths, Lower Hutt, on Thursday, 23rd February. So far, the Wellington Club has engaged the only March date, having set down the first Saturday for their' annual carnival. These gatherings, together with the usual club weekly races, will provide amplo competition for swimmers, while the majority will also have engagements in the various life-saving competitions, so that there will be plenty to engage their attention. Centre Carnival. The programme drawn up for the centre carnival is composed of several championship events, which include the 50 yards, 440 yards, free-style, 220 yards breaststroke, men's, 100 yards ladies; and ladies' diving championships. These events form the basia for an attractive afternoon's sport, the balance of the races comprising interelub competitions, relay races, diving and water-polo. In view of the fact that the centre is endeavouring to raise funds to send a team to Napier, it is confidently hoped that the patronage, both by swimmers and the public, will be in excess of that of previous carnivals. G-reytown Fixture. \ Entries for the Greytown carnival, which is to be. held on Wednesday evening next, will close to-night. Several local swimmers are making the trip, so that there should be a good representation from the city. . ' . Personal Jottings. With the favourable conditions now prevailing, several swimmers are getting down to solid training, and improved times are noticeable. J. Blakeley is one who has speeded up in his work, and he looks to be in good trim. He should improve on his good performances of last season, when he w.as successful in most of the senior championships, and again be first selection for the representative team. G. Balfour continues to show good work in his training, and is capable of putting up a good showing in some of the centre championship events should he compete in them. He is also practising steadily with the wator-polo ball, a fine method of getting fit, and should gain a place in the representative team. He is a possible starter in the Kellerman Cup, as is also J. Logic of the same club. E. Pelham has not been a regular attender at the baths up till recently, but now that he has made a start he should be able to do some training His difficulty is to find the necessary time. Two of last season's promising swimmers; J. and G. .Williams, are rapidly striking top form, and will undoubtedly improve on their previous figures. Both have already won races this season, and should gain further successes during the remaining fixtures,.