SWIMMERS’ APPRECIATION

Evening Star, Issue 23438, 1 December 1939, Page 12

SWIMMERS’ APPRECIATION

CITY COUNCIL'S ASSISTANCE CENTENNIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Last night’s meeting of the Otago Centro of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association expressed appreciation of the efforts of the City Council to encourage swimming, and also of the assistance and eo-operation by the City Council to the centre in its efforts to make a success of the New Zealand Centennial intermediate and junior championships, the only national gathering being held in the South Island this summer. Those present were Messrs S. Brown (in the chair), E. H. James, F. E, L. Forrester, D. C. Bannatyne, H. D. Gillies, E. Sonntag, C. W. Elliott, A. C. Marett, W. Curry, C. J. Leeden, D. F. Watson, W. S. M'Ewan, J. R. Bode, L. R. M'lntosh, D. Thomson, W. M'Donnell, P. F. Foote, J. M‘Taggart, G. H. Peat, Mrs J. M‘Taggart, and the secretary (Mr E. C. Isaacs).

Advice was received from the tovyn clerk of ‘ the assistance the council proposed to give the centre in the intermediate and junior meeting, and also that the centre’s request for privileges to be granted the visiting chanipionship competitors for training facilities at the baths from 10 to 12 each morning during championship week had been granted. Thci secretary was instructed to write, conveying the centre’s appreciation to the City Council for its assistance. The Minister of. Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry) wrote thanking the centre for extending him an invitation to be present during the holding of the Centennial, championships on January 17, 18, and 20 next. He hoped that official engagements would take him south while the championships were being held, in which event he would 1 be happy to be present. Reporting for the reception committee, Mr A. Greig wrote that he had interviewed the mayor (Mr A. H. Allan) concerning a welcome by him at the baths at 9.45 a.m. on the opening day of the Centennial championships, January 17. Mr Greig stated that the mayor regretted that he could not be present as he would be leaving tor Wellington the previous day, but he would appoint his deputy to represent him, and on returning from Wellington Mr Allan had agreed to say a few words at one of the evening sessions. For the Reception Committee it was also reported that efforts were being made to have visting teams met by private cars wherever possible. The convener of the Billeting Committee (Mr D. F. Watson) reported that to date some 40 billets had been promised for the visiting competitors, but many more were still required, and it was hoped all supporters of swimming would help by offering to take visitors and thus repay the hospitality that had been extended to Otago teams in the past. Mr D. Thomson, reporting for the Entertainment Committee, stated that arrangements had been made for the holding of a social and presentation of prizes in the R.S.A. Hall on Saturday, January 20, and it was now recommended that the picnic be held at Harrington Point on Sunday, January 21. He also reported on arrangements for a motor drive and afternoon tea on Friday, January 19. Mr E. H. James presented the reports of the’Programme and Publicity Committees, and Mr F. E. L. Forrester submitted the Finance Committee’s report. The reports of the various sub-com-mittees were approved, and Harrington Point was agreed upon as the venue for the picnic. SENIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. ’The Wellington Centre wrote in regard to the New Zealand senior national swimming championships at Wellington, drawing attention specially to the generous trophies allotted to handicap events, and also to the special trophies connected with the Annette Kellerman Cup. A Dominion Centennial relay premiership—open to all clubs—was expected to attract considerable interest; the trophy being valued at £8 Bs, and it was suggested that the winning team could purchase a suitable trophy for presentation to its club, commemorating the centenary of New Zejand, to be competed for annually in, some important club event. THE SCHOOLS. Advice was received from the New Zealand Council that it had taken early steps to give effect to the recommendations of the conference of hon. educational officers, as confirmed by the conference of centres. Mr L. H. Joblin was deputed to contact officers of the Education Department and place before them the suggestions contained in the report of the present and future policy in educational work. He also reported that the department stated quite emphatically that the teaching of swimming was a compulsory syllabus subject, and that all teachers were required to teach swimming where facilities were available. The director pointed out that specific mention was made in the syllabus of land drill. The department required all teachers leaving the Training College to be adequately trained to°teach swimming. The department was prepared to make grants towards the construction of school swimming pools, the Cornwell Park type being recommended. The council also advised that the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Parry) would make available the sum of £I,OOO for the purpose of conducting the “Learn to Swim” campaign. CARNIVAL DATES. The Roxburgh Amateur Swimming Club applied for February 17 for the date of its .annual carnival, the application being granted and the selection of a party of swimmers from Dunedin was left to the Tours Committee. The Hon. Secretary of the Owaka Club advised that February 19-23 had been fixed as the date of its “ Learn to Swim ” effort. The secretary of the Otago Yacht ■and Motor Boat Club sought the assistance of the centre in organising 'and running the swimming, events at its rrala day on Saturday, January 27, it being suggested that the programme be the same as last year.—lt was decided to advise the club that the centre would do all it could to assist in the staging of the swimming events at the gala. MEMBERSHIP RETURNS. Club returns were received as follows :—Roxburgh 17 (10 senior declared members, 7 intermediate and junior members) ; Dunedin 191 (40 senior declared members, 17 honorary members, and 134 intermediate and junior members) ; Balolutha 241 (11 senior declared members, 84 honorary members, and 146 intermediates and juniors) ; St. Clair 62 (21 senior declared members, 22 honorary members, and 19 intermediate and junior members); Kaikorai _SB (10 declared, 8 honorary, 40 junior and intermediate) ; Lawrence 75 (17 declared, 58 junior and intermediate).

It was reported that the number of members attached to the 13 club l ; who had forwarded returns was 1,396, consisting of 252 senior declared members, 174 honorary members, and 970 intermdoiate and junior member. It was also stated that the five clubs which had not forwarded returns —Cromwell, Wanaka, Alexandra, ■ St. Kilda, and Training College—were not entitled to exercise their votes on the centre until they had complied with the rules. GENERAL. The secretary of the Balolutha Club advised that the instruction during its “ learn-to-swim ” campaign would be conducted by (Balolutha members. March 5 was approved as the date for the Otago University. Club’s’annual “ try-outs ” at the Municipal Baths., Mr D. Pickard was appointed assistant secretary in connection with the New Zealand intermediate and junior championship meeting.