OTAGO SWIMMING CENTRE

Evening Star, Issue 20610, 9 October 1930, Page 3

OTAGO SWIMMING CENTRE

THE YEAR IN RETROSPECT “It is pleasing to be able to record that the season under review was one of the most active, successful, and enjoyable the centre has ever experienced, the most pleasing aspect undoubtedly being that the War Memorial Shield was brought to Dunedin by the intermediate and junior representatives at the New Zealand championship,” states the annual report of the Otago Swimming Centre, to be presented at the annual meeting .next Wednesday night. The report continues: —“'Hie season was a busy one, and the centre staged the championships on one night this year in place of two nights as previously, and for a change this fixture resulted in a profit to the centre or several pounds. In addition, another carnival was held at the cud of the season in aid of the Empire , Carnes Fund, and this, too, resulted in a profit of several pounds, one of the pleasing features being that the swimmers very generously forewent their prizes. Apart from the championship successes, the handicap events throughout drew large entries, and the standard of swimming during the whole season was a good one, especially among the juniors and intermediates, while the senior standard also showed a welcome improvement. Once again it may be asserted that Otago still leads the way in diving, and at all carnivals the diving events were largely supported. “ The centre’s annual harbour race over a course of more than two miles for the Batt Cup was held in January, and as usual it created much interest. The winner was Miss M. Mathieson, of the Dunedin Club, who had a handicap of, 17 Jin in, and whose time was Ih 7min 2see, the fastest yet put up by a lady swimmer in this race. Miss Mathieson swam a very line race. Congratulations must also be tendered to that very fine swimmer, N. H. Bailey, wiio put up fastest time for the third time in succession. His time was 56min 23sec, his record for the race being 55min 54sec. “ The centre was able despatch a very strong team to the New Zealand championships at Greymouth, and, taken altogether, it is doubtful if Otago has ever done as well as was the case in Greymouth. Otago was placed in every event which the centre’s representatives competed, excepting those in the junior girls’ division, in which Miss Nancy Olds was up against much older swimmers. Nevertheless she carried off one title. Most outstanding, of course, was the success of the intermediate and junior representatives, the War Memorial Shield, for most firsts in junior and intermediate events being brought back to Dunedin. Reg. Geddes won the 100yds and 220yds junior boys’ championships in fast times which would have constituted New Zealand fresh water records had these not been eliminated, and for the third time .in succession ho won the 75yds junior boys’ breaststroke championship in the Ne”’ Zealand record time of-59 3-ssoc. which was one-fifth of a second better than the record he established at the Otago championships. Miss M. > Mathieson won the 75yds intermediate girls’ breaststroke championship in the splendid time 'of 64 2-sseo, and she also accounted for the 100yds in 75 2-osce and 220yds in 3rain 10 l-ssee, intermediate girls’ championship. Like Reg. Gcddes she made a clean sweep in her division, one of the outstanding swimmers of the championship meeting. R. M‘Lay put up a good performance to win the intermediate boys’ diving championship, won in the two preceding rears by A. M. Rix, also of Otago. Miss Nancy Olds, only eleven years of age, registered a fine performance in winning t Jig 50yds junior girls breaststroke championship im 48 3-ssec. While these competitors were responsible for winning the War Memorial Shield they were not the only members of the two ago limit divisions to perform with marked distinction. W. Jarvis was a splendid second string to Geddes, and was second in each of the three junior boys’ events, bis performances being good enough to win in almost any other year. The centre, was well represented in llio senior division, and with nine centres competing filled third place' in the competition for the Yaldhursb Shield. Outstanding in the men’s division was R. O. Calder, who gave a magnificent display to win the national men’s diving ehnmpidnship for tho fifth time in succession, H. E. Walker dived well and occupied third place. B. Kerr swam exceedingly wel 1 to fill second place in the 150yds men’s backstroke championship, and S. Fogg finished third. N. H. Bailey swam consistently throughout and secured third place in both the 880yds and one mile championships His best performance, however, was in the Annette Kellerman Cup race, in which he finished third from the second back mark, and also secured third fastest time. In the ladies’ division Miss M. Jepson, who has so consistently represented Otago in the past, was one of tho outstanding performers, filling second place in the 100yds back-stroke, 100yds, 220yds, and 440yds championships. Since her return from the cnampionships she has been seriously ill, and tbo centre expresses tho hope that she will soon be completely restored to health. For a long time past the centre endeavoured to bring about, n tour ol Australia by 11. C. Calder, our champion diver,’ bub it was impossible to finalise any negotiations in the matter. It was therefore with groat pleasure that the news was received that Calder, undoubtedly New Zealand’s greatest diver, had been nominated for a place in the New Zealand team for tho British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario, in August last. The centre was faced with a big task of raising over £7O to ensure Cal dor’s despatch, lint with tho co-operation of tho clubs and swimmers in general the opening of a subscription list through the courtesy of the ‘ Evening Star,’ and the generosity of kindred sporting bodies, and the general public, the necessary amount was subscribed in a few weeks. Tho centre takes this further opportunity of thanking all those who so willingly contributed to tbo Empire Games ‘'Fund. A fitting farewell to Calder was bold in the Overseas Hall on June 25, in conjunction with the centre's dance and presentation ol prizes, which it is hoped will bo an annual affair. Considering (lie competition bo was up against, and the fact that lie was unable to dc much training

before (lie games through an injury to his back, Calclcr did remarkably well to finish fourth in the spring-board diving championship, being narrowly beaten for third place. Once again it is pleasing to bo able to report that the educational'work continues to flourish in Otago. No fewei than 676 certificates were issued during the year. Interest in water polo was not. so well maintained as in the. previous season, though the St. Clair fafe Saving Club’s team showed very failform in retaining the Donald Stuart Banner! An earlier start with the competition will lie necessary this year. The balance-sheet discloses a satisfac tory statement of affairs. Mr T. Thompson was the delegate on the Now Zealand Council; and ho looked after Otago's interests very well indeed ; the centre’s thanks being extended to him. Thanks are duo to Messrs P. Mathieson, S. Hindmarsli, and Misses N. Fleming and Barry, of the baths staff, for the way they have assisted and oo operated with the centre during the year. Thanks are due also to all-who assisted with donations during the year, to the officials who acted at carnival and in the harbour race, and all who assisted in connection with the latter, and to I lie Press.