SWIMMING

Grey River Argus, 9 February 1929, Page 10

SWIMMING

(By 11 Trudgeon ”.) Both Greymouth and Hokitika were compelled ’o abandon their Carnival, set down for Tuesday and Thursday respectively, owing to adverse climatic conditions. The weather of late , has been most unseasonable and the wintry nip in the air is enough to deter even the most enthusiastic swimmer from taking the daily dip. I' is to be hoped that more appropriate conditions will prevail when the Dominion’s two crack lady swimmers. Misses Ena Stockley and Kathleen Miller visit here.

The apearance of these two young ladies will cause an intense amount of interest, and should give a further fillip to what i: already a flourishing sport locally.

The allocation of the 1930 New Zealand Championships Io Greymouth has caused a pardonable amount of .jubilation in swimming circles here. Westland were awarded the championships after an elimination ballot had been taken on the claims of this Centre. Nelson, Wanganui, and South Canterbury. There can be little doubt that the decision is a wise one, as -winimiug on the West Coast is on a sounder basis than perhaps anywhere (>lso in New Zealand. Several matters will have to be tdju ted before next season, first and foremost being the mater of seating accomodation at, t e Baths. The present arrangements arc total’y inadequae to cope with, 'he crowds that attend the ordinary! carnivals, . o that it will be seen that' the Championships will demand aj much larger space for Ihe public. At present the occupiers of the front, seats get a liberal supply of the splash from the contestants. There < is little dojubt. however, that the j

Borough Council will meet the Centre in a favourable frame of mind and accede to any reasonable requests preferred by the latter. The president of the New Zealand Council, Mr W. E. I). Bishop expressed the opinion at the Annual meeting, that the Canterbury Centi-v’s remit urging an increase of £lOOO a year in the Government grant to the Association, would be .assisted by a graph prepared by the Secretary, Mr Baxter O’Neill, shoAving a record issue of swimming certificates for the year.

It is pleasing to note the strong feeling among members of the New Zealand Council, that the Government be impressed with the desirability of making swimming compulsory in schools, where adequate facilities are provided. The recommendation to the Minister of Education to incorporate swimming in the teachers’ examination syllabus is another matter that should receive favourable consideraion.

The remit passed urging the council to consider the desirability of appointling. in an honorary capacity, one or ■ more swimmers in each centre to | coach school teachers and instructors in the correct methods of teaching swimming, is one that should be welcome. In Greymouth. with swimmers of the calibre of Mulloy, there hould be no difficulty in finding such instructors. A shining example of enthusiasm in imparting knowledge to the younger generation was given-by |W. Keesing when he resided at Hokitika. This gentleman did an immense amount to fostering the sport, while he was always a thorough sportsman.