AMATEUR SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 19328, 14 August 1926, Page 12

AMATEUR SWIMMING

OTAGO DELEGATE RESIGNS The following is a copy of a letter which has been addressed to the Otago Centre, New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association by its delegate to the association (Mr W. 11. Benson). Dear Sir, —In view of the decision of the council of the N.Z.A.S.A. {as per notice of July 12) that any centre which has not forwarded its annual returns and fees on or before this date shall lose the right of its vote, through its delegate on the council, 1 regret to have to draw' your attention to the fact that the Otago Centre is now in this unsatisfactory position. As your delegate for several years past I have always endeavored to uphold the welfare and dignity of tho centre, and need hardly remark that it is extremely disappointing to hurl the centre so moruiund as to have practically ceased to function.

It is rather hard to understand that so much apathy can exist in connection with swimming matters in a city which so vigorously and capably carried through a big undertaking like Lbo lato Inhibition, partbulaily when remembering that, in addition to being the healthiest and cleanest sport in New Zealand, swimming is a most vital and essential part of tho education of our children.

The Otago ton in at the last New Zealand swimming cjiatnpionship meeting in Napier was a particularly promising one, and put up an excellent all-round performance, and contained at least one member who, with (lie right training and encouragement, promised to become an Australian champion, and a possible candidate for Olympic Games honors, yet in spite of this so little interest is apparently being taken in Dunedin that, one can only conclude that Otago takes little or no pride in its swimmers and divers nr the welfare of its school children, so far as swimming is concerned.

It is one of the duties of (he centre to organise and encourage the leaching of swimming to children in iho schools, through its educational officer working in co-operation with m-liool teachers and’club, and for a year or two the Otago results were excellentbut, whilst making duo allowance Tor the epidemic and Exhibition causing disorganisation, the present slate o? affairs is somewhat deplorable, and due entirely- to tiro slackness of the centre officials—not the school teachers’. |( E to be hoped that whoever is responsible for this dry-rot in the .’'outre will soon have some lively prickings of conscience or have recovered sufficiently from the bad attack of “ Mxhiintionitis’’ to take immediate and vigorous steps to resuscitate interest and lona a new live executive • .

1 shoukl further like to remind the few swimming enthusiasts, as well as Dunedin citizens generally, that, in accordance with rotation, the New Zealand swimming chainpionsliip.s mc-ciin"-is duo to ho held in Dunedin ,in .Jgiw

nary, 1928, but tho question of venue will bo definitely decided at the annual conference of centres to be held during the championship meeting in Auckland in January next. I need hardly state that there is no possibility of the meeting being allocated to Otago or any other centres unless proof can he given that the centre is sufficiently alive and capable of conducting such a large meeting as the New Zealand championships, and it will he a poor advertisement for Otago if it is passed over.

You will, I am sure, fully understand that my position as Otago delegate on (he New Zealand Council is now untenable, as I could not agree to merely attend meetings without being able to exercise a vote, and 1 am ’hereloie regretfully compelled to lender my resignation? and f am notifying the secretary, of the council, to this ,«?tfeH, I trust-that during fny years of ofhee my services have been of some little use.