SWIMMING CENTRE FUNCTION

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 5

SWIMMING CENTRE FUNCTION

VETERAN OFFICIAL HONOURED HEW ZEALAND AWARD TO MR A. GREiG ■.Notiibio ami distinguished service to swimming over a long period or rears was recognised last night at a social function held by tiro Otago Centro of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, when Mr Alex. Greig, the 76-year-old coach and prominent omnial, was honoured by the centre, which made him a presentation of the New Zealand Association “ Hon.’ blazer which was recently awarded linn by the New Zealand Council. Opportunity was also taken to make a presentation to Mr Brian Kerr ou_ the occasion of his approaching marriage. The president (Mr W. A. Jenkins) was in the chair. . ~ In making a presentation to air Greig of a New Zealand Association honorary blazer, Mr Jenkins referred to him as the “ Grand Old Man of Otago swimming, and the award of a blazer had been made to him because of his long association with the sport as an outstanding coach and an administrative official. Mr Greig had identified himself not only with the work of assisting crippled children in their swimming, but had been happy to coach other children, whether they belonged to a club or not. In the course of his coaching he had assisted members not only of his own club, but of sister clubs, and Mr Jenkins said they all knew .that Mr Greig’s work over the years had been greatly appreciated by all the clubs and particularly by members of the centre. He had coached mote New Zealand breast stroke champions probably than any other man. His efforts had been in no

small way responsible for Otago’s rise in swimming competition in the last 10 years, and at the present time Otago held the three major trophies in New Zealand championship competition—the Yaldhurst Shield for the national senior championships, Otago was joint holder with Bay of Plenty of the War Memorial Shield for the intermediate and junior championships, and holder of the water polo trophy. Many of those who had been successful in water polo bad at one time or another come under Mr Greig’s care. Swimmers throughout Otago honoured him in the distinction that had now been conferred upon him, and trusted he would be long spared to carry on his good work for the sport. On behalf of the Kiwi Club Mr E. 0. Isaacs conveyed to Mr Greig the appreciation of members at the distinction which had been conferred upon him. Outside Mr Greig’s work for the centre, he had held in the Kiwi Club the offices of president and patron, and his influence was felt in every branch of the club’s activities. The success he had achieved as a coach was reflected in the many national titles won and records established by his swimmers, but it mattered not to him to which club a swimmer belonged, so long as that swimmer was keen to learn. Mr Greig was not only a coach of champions—he had achieved just as good results with the younger swimmers, who held him in the highest regard and respect.

Mr D. Thomson also paid a warm tribute to the work done for swimming by Mrs Greig, who . had acted as chaperone of Otago teams for a number of years and Lad always been keenly interested in the sport. Mr S. Brown, president of the Kiwi Club ; endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers.

Mr and Mrs Greig were accorded musical honours, and in his reply Mr Greig said he deeply appreciated the honour that had been conferred upon him. In expressing his appreciation of the remarks made concerning his pupils, he said that he had had the material to develop. He referred to the value of swimming not only in building up a healthy body, hut in building a clean mind and making young people an asset to tho community. He hoped as long as he was able to carry on Lis work for swimming. Oh the occasion of his approaching marriage, Mr Brian Kerr was presented with a case of cutlery, the presentation being made by Mr Isaacs, who said that the Otago Centre regarded this as a particularly happy occasion as Mr Kerr’s future wife, Miss Pat Duncan, had also been one of the province's best women swimmers. Mr Kerr was looked upon as one of the province’s outstanding swimming personalities, having had much success as a swimmer and a water polo player, and he had also been an excellent official, giving fine service as treasurer of the centre for many years. Members all joined in wishing Mr Kerr happiness and prosperity in the future.

Messrs D. C. Bannatyne, D, Watson, W. S. M'Ewan, and D. Thomson endorsed the romarlks of the previous speaker. In proposing the “St. Hilda Beach Improvement Society,” Mr C. J. hoe den said that the centre and clubs were pleased to be associated with the members of the St. Hilda Society, and their combined efforts had been responsible. for supplementing the dwindling funds of the centre and the clubs. Swimmine was an expensive sport to conduct, and because of the co-operation between the St. Kilda Society and the swimming bodies a very successful carnival had been staged. Replying on behalf of the St. Kilda Society, Mr J. Tresize said that the beach carnival had been an unqualified success, which had been due in no small measure to the zeal put into the work by the swimming members and the swimming club. Their assistance was very much required by the St. Kilda Society, which hoped that their next effort would ho just as great a success.

Mr T> •esize's remarks wore endorsed by Mr W. M'Qncen Mr I l ’. F, L. Forrester pronosed the “ Water Polo Match Committee and Bep. Tram,” and referred to the

sound position of the game in Dunedin, where, through the efforts of the Water Polo Committee, a weekly water polo carnival was held. This had done much to raise the standard of the game, and they were very proud_ of Otago’s success in winning the New Zealand championship for the third successive time.

Messrs D. Watson, D. C. Bannatyno, and M. Taylor replied to the toast.

Other toasts honoured were:—“ Kindred Sports.” proposed by Mr D. M. Lister, replies by Messrs It. Thompson (athletics), S. Brown (boxing ami wrestling), W, M'Queen (hockey), and W. A. Jenkins (Rugby) ; “The Clubs,” proposed by Mr D. Thomson, replies by Messrs D. Watson (Kiwi), hi. H. James (Dunedin), and W, S. MT'lwuu; “The Visitors,” proposed by Mr J. M'Taggart, replies by Messrs Greenhalgh and Garbutt; “Centre Officials,” proposed by Mr E. C. Isaacs, replies by Messrs F. R. Nichol and W. Stewart; “Otago Swimming Centre,” proposed by Mr W. Stewart, reply by Mr S. Brown; “Social Committee,” proposed by Mr D. Watson, replies by Messrs S. Brown and J. M"Taggart; “The Ladies,” proposed by Mr hi. Toase. Mr M'Queen spoke of the work being done by the St. Kilda Beach Improvement Society in improving the amenities at St. Kilda beach, and said it was hoped that now that the finances of the society were in an improved position it would not be long before the society was able to construct a saltwater pool behind the sandhills, and he knew they would have the support of the centre in its efforts.