TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 3, 5 January 1938, Page 11

TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

SWIMMING COMPETITOR

SUFFERING FROM DIPHTHERIA

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day.

One of the foremost competitors in the New Zealand swimming championships, .which commence at New Plymouth on Saturday, was admitted to hospital last nighf suffering from diphtheria. However, the championships are in rxo way affected, and the health authorities are emphatic that there is no danger of infection ,-to other swimmers or visitors. ;,

. The unfortunate competitor is C. Cliff, Christchureh,. tlfe most outstanding backstroke swimmer in New Zealand at the present time. He was regarded as- a certainty both ■as the winner' of the" title and for final selection in' the New ') Zealand swimming team for the Empire Games., In a time trial on December 1 he broke Mathiason's 100 metres record, ,-returning 71 4-ssec. He is 21 years of age and had been provisionally chosen for the Empire Games team subject to confirmation following the championship swimming at the carnival in New Plymouth on Saturday. He gave an indi cation that he was even ahead of his earlier form.

Wild rumours were flying about New Plymouth this morning regarding a diphtheria epidemic, the closing of the baths, and the postponement of the championships. These are entirely incorrect and there is absolutely no danger to health at all. The medical .officer of health, Dr. F. W. W. Dawson, stated this.morning that it was simply an ordinary case /of diphtheria and the usual precautions had" been taken. Not only was he definite that there is no danger of infection to visitors, but ridiculed any suggestion that there should be a public panic. The baths were healthy,-he said, and the water was being;changed daily.