SWIMMING

Grey River Argus, 25 September 1941, Page 2

SWIMMING

WEST COAST CENTRE. Mr H. Rattray presided at the annual meeting of the West Coast Swimming Centre, last evening, when there were also present: Messrs E. Holmes, F. Costelio, M. R. Bunt, W. Gieseking, D. Panckhurst, W. Payne and I. Elder (Secretary). The annual report as published in yesterday’s “Argus" was adopted. The chairman stated that the year’s activities had been satisfactory, though the weather had not. Only one carnival was held, that being for (•Patriotic purposes. No carnivals would be held during the coming season, owing to the black-out and the fact that the lights were in the possession of the Defence Department. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Dr. W. McKay (reelected): President, Mr H. W. Rattray (re-elected): Vice-Presidents, Dr. Foote (Westport), Mr Cox (Reefton), Mr E. McDonnell (Greymouth), and the Presidents of all Clubs ex-officio; Secretary-Treasurer, Mr I. Elder (re-elected); Handicapper, Mr W. Gieseking (re-elected); Auditor, Mr H. J. Wickes (re-elected); Delegate to N.Z. Council, Mr Gillespie (reelected); Baths Committee, Messrs Costello, Panckhurst, Bunt, Rattray and Gieseking; District Officer, Mr G. Walters (re-elected); Educational Officer, Mr J. E. Stokes; Coaching Committee, Messrs McClymont, Miller and Payne (re-elected). The Greymouth Borough Council advised that the matter of improvements to the Municipal Baths had been left to the chairman of the Reserves Committee. It was decided to advise the Council that if it would provide £2OO for the baths improvement fund, the Centre would provide £2OO to be put in a trust fund. The Engineer was also requested to draw up plans of the new buildings for the approval of the Centre. The N.Z. Council advised the Centre to forward particulars of membership, its annual report and balance-sheet and the name of the resident delegate to the Council before the Council’s annual meeting at Christchurch on October 26 and 27. The President of the Centre was appointed delegate to the Council. The Counci] also advised that Mr F. G. • Dunn, the President, was retiring after the annual meeting, after 21 years’ service, and a presentation would be made by the Council. It was decided to donate £1 Is to the presentation fund, and to support Mr Dunn’s election as a life member. The ■ West Coast Primary Schools' Association wrote, asking what representation this committee had on the Centre. The Reefton Club forwarded their affiliation fee for the ensuing season. Messrs John Burns and Coy. wrote, agreeing to alter the rules governing the John Burns Cup. Mr .Bunt, for the Reefton Club, said that he would support the suggestion of the Westport Club, to amend the rules to make the comnetition available for junior and intermediate swimmers, to whom it would be a great encouragement. He moved that the rules of the John Burns Cup be amended for the present season to allow junior, intermediate and ladv swimmers to take part in the events. Mr Payne seconded the motion, which was carried. An amendment by Mr Gieseking, that a sub-committee be set up to discuss the matter with Mr K. Balchin. was withdrawn. It was decided to forward a remit to the Council, that the travelling expenses of delegates be fixed on the basis of the number of registered swimmers in the Centre. It was decided to write to Mr C. M. Robinson, Westport honorary education officer, who was to leave to join the armed ‘ forces, thanking him for the good work done by him’, and wishing him the best of luck and a safe return. The chairman extended thanks to Mr Bunt for his work as treasurer of the Baths Committee, and on his motion, Mr Bunt was granted an honorarium of £5 ss. He also complimented the secretary on his work and moved that he be granted an honorarium of £3 3s. This was agreed to. Mr Holmes said that the country schools of the district had been circularised and asked to co-operate in the scheme to have a learn-to-swim week for country children. The bil- I leting of the children in the town, I in the first week in December had yet to be arranged. The chairman said that talks would be given over the air. Mr Panckhurst asked why the sec-

ondary and private schools had no representation on the Council, when the primary schools had two representatives. The chairman said that the schools liked to conduct their own activities and did not wish to co-op-erate. Mr Panckhurst said that the other schools were “jamming" the primary children out of the baths, to a certain extent, and they should be prepared to assist the Centre. It was decided to write to the schools, asking a representative from each to meet Mr Bunt to arrange hours for the children to use the baths this season. Mr Payne suggested that a swimming carnival for children be held on the Saturday afternoon ending the Learn-to-Swim Week in December, and that coaches be obtained to continue the training of the children. Mr Parfitt moved that Mr, Costello be nominated at the annual meeting of the N.Z. Council to receive the Councils blazer. The Chairman said that Mr Costello had been connected with swimming longer than anyone in the Centre, and had done some great work. He deserved the blazer. He seconded motion. Mr Bunt said that the swimming fraternity in Greymouth was lucky to have such stalwarts as they had. and Mr Costello deserved the honour. The motion was carried. It was decided to hold a further meeting on .October 23. Votes of thanks to Mr Gieseking for use of the room, and to the chairman were carried.

The report of the Treasurer of the Baths Committee (Mr M. R. Bunt) as follows, was adopted: —The nett profit transferred to the Accumulated I Fund is £67 ss, compared with £44 15s 3d for the previous year,, an increase .of £22 9s 9d Bath takings totalled £l3O 17s 3d as against £9O 3s 4d last year. No bath hire was earned, as no charge was made for the' bath for the carnivals which were conducted for patriotic purposes. The baths were open two weeks longer than in the previous season, tnis accounting for the increase of £lO in the subsidy received from the Borough Council. At £4 12s, interest earned shows an increase of £1 9s 2d. On the debit ■ side wages show a substantial increase, £34 4s 6d. This is partly due to the longer season and partly to the fact that the Committee found it necessary to increase the Caretaker’s rates of wages. Other expenses have' be’en kept to a minimum, and most items show a considerable decrease. The Accumulated Fund now stands at £248 14s 4d,Represented almost entirely by cash at the Bank of New Zealand, and the P. 0.5.8. The total attendances recorded at the baths for the season was 18,691, an increase of 5,000 over last year. The l good weather experienced in December and January was mainly 'responsible for this substantial increase in attendances, but the Centre is also reaping the reward of its efforts in encouraging swimming among the school children. The highest attendance recorded in any one week was 2060 Tor the week ended on January 6, the exact figure which was the highest for the 'week ended on January 22 in the previous year. This week also recorded the highest takings at £l4 13s. including £1 10s from the sale of season tickets, Ine baths opened on October 29. alia closed on April 14.. Last season the opening day was October 28 and tne closing day March 25. The highest water temperature recorded was oo degrees on two afternoons, the lowest of 44 degrees being recorded on two mornings during the last week. u the average temperatures were h|g er than in the previous year ine buildings generally are in a bad slave of disrepair, and the Committee hav found it necessary to approach tne Council on several occasions to hav urgent repair work attended to. ft is hoped that a building scheme win be formulated during this season, ana in this connection the Chairman ot the Borough Reserves Committee is to attend th P Centre’s annual meet' ing to put the Councils views before you. It is not expected that there ’will be any increase in expenses next year, and although the war must have some effect on attendance, it is’ hoped that the proposed learn to swim campaign will result m a still further, increase in school children’s attendances. 1