SWIMMING

Grey River Argus, 10 December 1938, Page 10

SWIMMING

West Coast Centre annual meeting held. The annual meeting of the West Coast Amateur Swimming Centre was held on Thursday, Mr G. Walters presiding, and the following delegates were also present: Messrs M. R. Bunt, F. Costello, S. Millar, L. B. Galbraith, H. R. Silcock, G. Wright, W. H. Gieseking, R. Thomson, K. E. Balchin, VV. Payne, and the secretary (Mr I. Elder).

"In presenting our annual report on the past season, we have pleasure in looking back on one of our most successful years,” said the president and secretary. “Interest was well maintained, and the carnivals held by the various clubs were productive of keen competition. The Auckland swimmers, Misses Tilsley, Grey and Finlayson, were in our district for a fortnight, visiting each town on the Coast. Vt e cannot speak too highly of their ready assistance in coaching, and the Centre has received similar expressions from all clubs whom they visited. The Centre concentrated in giving the more advanced pupils the benefit of their instruction, and an improvement could be seen immediately in the standard. Before they left, the team were the guests of the Centre at afternoon tea. The Centre s thanks are due to the New Zealand Council for arranging the tour. The first organised effort to teach swimming toon place during February, and the Centre is well pleased with the result achieved. Altogether, between 1,500 and 1,600 children were given lessons, and over 350 learned to swim as a direct result. From this start the remainder of the pupils carried on and before the end of the season more than half of them could swim. It is proposed to continue with this work in the coming season until every pupil in the schools can swim. The annual Centre championships were .conducted by the Reefton Club, and we desire to congratulate them on the way in which they carried them out. All clubs maintained their interest well, and the carnivals conducted by them were well managed and productive of keen competition. The John Burns Cup was held by Westport against a challenge from Reefton. The Centre took control of the baths at Greymouth again at .the request of the Borough Council, and the results are apparent from the financial statement. In closing we would like to express our thanks to the instructors who assisted in coaching during the Learn-to-Swim Week, to the teachers of all schools for their interest and cooperation right through the season to Mr M. E. Spiers of Station 3ZR, and to the press, who gave us every assistance in their power.” The balance sheet was held over until next meeting owing to the indisposition of the treasurer. The statement of the treasurer of the Baths Committee was received and adopted members expressing satisfaction at the gratifying result. The New Zealand Association wrote regarding the proposed tour of the Dominion by several lady swimmers, and a sub-committee was appointed to deal with the matter and make the necessary application to the New. Zealand Council for inclusion in the itinerary. The West Coast senior and intermediate championships for 1939 were allotted to Westport Club, subject to it being that club’s turn. • The Greymouth Borough Council

wrote offering control 01 tne oauis on the same conditions as last yeai, and the offer was accepted. The election of officers resulted:— Patron Dr. W. McKay (re-elected): president, Mr G. Walters (re-elected); vice-presidents, Dr. P. L. Foote (Westport) and Mr C. Coxall senr. (Reefton), together with the presidents oi all clubs: treasurer, Mr J. Gilberthorpe; handicapper, Mr W. H. Gieseking (reelected); auditor, Mr H. J. Wicks; secretary, Mr I. Elder (re-elected), delegate to New Zealand Council, Mr H. Gillespie (re-elected); baths committee, Messrs G. Walters, M. R. Bunt, W. H. Gieseking, H. R. Silcock, K. E. Balchin; coaching committee, Messrs F, Costello, W. Gieseking, and I. Elder. It was decided to forward a letter of condolence to Mr and Mrs F. W. Baillie in their recent bereavement. In connection with the forthcoming Learn-to-Swim Week, which will probably be held during February, it was decided to circularise all swimming clubs, together with the Greymouth Surf Club, requesting them to attend a meeting on December 22, at which will be present Mr N. A. Ingram, hon. secretary of the National Swimming and Life Saving Council. It is proposed to hold the meeting at the office. of Messrs M. J. Fogarty and Co., subject to it being available. Applications for training nights from Greymouth Club (Wednesday) and Cobden Club (Thursday) were referred to the Baths Committee. It was decided to endeavour to secure the history of the Hutchings Memorial Shield, which was destroyed by fire. It was stated that the schools’ sports committee were desirous of reviving the competition. | The Greymouth Club suggested that an inter-club competition be arranged, at some suitable time during each| week. The matter was left to a sub-| committee to approach clubs concerning the suggestion, and it was given power to act.

MARIST CLUB REPORT. The following is the annual report of the President (Mr. A. J. Fraser), to be presented to the annual general meeting of the Marist Amateur Swimming Club, to be held at the Marist Brothers’ School to-morrow evening at 11 o’clock:— “The 1937-1938 season must be considered as being a satisfactory one, members generally speaking, supporting the Club in its various activities. This particularly applies to the junior members. Training: Your executive arranged to have the use of the baths on Tuesday night for training purposes. The attendances were not always. as good as might have been ex-' pected and it is hoped that for the current season more use will be made of the opportunities afforded members to improve their swimming. Endeavours am being made to procure the baths again for Tuesday evenings. Learn to Swim Campaign: During the season some members gave up considerable time to assist in the Learn to S'wim Week Campaign and they deserve the thanks of all. A Dominion wide appeal is now being launched —supported by the Honourable Minister in Charge of

Internal Affairs —to further this object and your Committee asks that all members who are in a position to do so should assist in this worthy object. Carnivals: The Club conducted two carnivals during the season and although they were both successful from a swimming point of view, it is a matter for regret that unfavourable weather conditions seriously affected the attendance. Thanks are due to all who assisted in the running of the carnivals. Finance: This is the most unsatisfactory feature of the year’s working. A statement of receipts and payments is attached and from this it will be seen that a loss of £2 17s was made. There is no doubt that if the carnivals had been better supported, the financial position would have been stronger. . Tne □mount received from subscriptions was most disappointing and it is expected that members will assist more in this direction Valedictory: The Club suffered a severe loss in the transfer of Reverend Brother Anthony, who was an enthusiastic worker in the interests of the Club and of swimming generally. Thanks are due and are expressed to kindred Clubs and to the press and many others who assisted the Club throughout the year.