JOHN BURNS CUP.

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 February 1934, Page 2

JOHN BURNS CUP.

tTO the editor.] Sii’, —As one who has watched the progress of ‘swimming closely in Greymouth, may I be permitted to make a sugestion or two to the Greymouth Swimming Centre through, your columns. First, the Centre and the Grey and Cobden clubs deserve high praise for the splendid work being done to popularise the sport. It is undeniable that the class of carnival staged in Greymouth is far higher than one would expect from so small a •place, and if the interest shown in Grey were equally as strong in all other centres on the Coast, then swimming would b.® in an extremely strong position. My first suggestion —“That challenges for the John Burns Cup be accepted as now, but with the proviso that the challengers after swimming at Grey (the holders; if unsuccessful in lifting the trophy, be entitled to the next swim at their home baths.” It was obvious after last Thursday’s brilliant display by the Reefton swimmers, that Reeftbn people would have flocked to see a return battle, .especially if it could have been arranged to take place, say, within a week of previous encounters. Also the possibility of any swimmer representing his club in other towns would be a great incentive to more swimmers to “go for it.” Suggestion 2: “That points for John Burns Cup be awarded to the winner 5, second 3, third 1, in events where the first three places are awarded points. Last Thursday’s 220 yards event clearly showed the need for a rearrangement. W. O’Leary, by magnificent swimming, won this event by about 30 yards, yet his club only tied with the visitors by virtue of the fact that the visitors filled 2nd and 3rd places, and the points awarded were 3—2—l. This letter is intended to be helpful to the Centre, and the suggestions are made by one who is delighted with the progress made by local swimmers.—Yours, etc., AQUATIC.