The Hawera Star. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1927. SWIMMING FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 February 1927, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1927. SWIMMING FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clock in Hawera., Jlanaia,, Nonnauby. Okaiawa Eltliam. Mangatoki, Kaponga, Alt-xi Hurley ville. Batea, Waverlcy, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Men-mere. Frasei Koad and Ararata.

There was nothing novel in the recommendation made to the Government at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Swimming Council that the teaching of swimming and life-saving should be made compulsory in schools whore facilities existed. At least once during every summer season some organisation .connected with swimming passes a resolution of similar purport, or forwards a remit, on those lines to a conference of delegates., who wax enthusiastic in their support of the motion and then pass on to the next business, well satisfied that they have done their duty to the country. At the conference held recently at Auckland the delegates did indeed go a little further than usual by putting forward the suggestion that the Government, should appoint a swimming instructor for each island, but the newspaper reports of the proceedings did not mention what was the. form of approach to be made to the Government. It is to be hoped that another season will not be allowed te pass without some definite steps being taken by the council to impress upon the. Government the necessity for a scheme of instruction being inaugurated. Something more than the ordinary letter to the Education Department embodying the resolutions of the conference- will be necessary to spur the Department into action. It- is a curious fact that almost every man can bo roused to momentary enthusiasm on the subject of swimming as a -healthful exercise and as a most useful accomplishment when the subject is mentioned at a dinner or at a conference, or at any gathering sufficiently far removed from cold water to keep the subject in the realm of theory; but the enthusiasm wanes perceptibly when the time arrives for putting theory into practice. It is not that New Zealanders are lacking in hardiness—their reputation in .the Rugby football world disposes of any such suggestion—but it is difficult to account for the apathy displayed on the subject by the community generally. The conference of delegates very wisely added to their recommendation the words “where facilities existed”; this should show the Department that the request for the appointment of swimming instructors is not merely an attempt ito wish upon the State another cause for large expenditure with no guarantee that ft Avi.ll be justified, by results. The council is noi asking for additional facilities for swimming, but for the inauguration of a system of instruction that will ensure that the best possible use will bo made of the facilities already provided. Instruction, in swimming is our greatest need, for the Dominion is very favourably situated as regards facilities. Swimming baths will be found in some of the most unlikely -places in New Zealand, proving that those responsible for the administration of district affairs have not boon neglectful of their responsibilities, but often the enthusiasm of the community, after overcoming the biggest hurdle, the finding of thj money, falls short of getting the most that is to be got out of their initial work and expenditure. The compulsory enforcement of attendance by children at

swimming classes is a phase of the objective of tbc council which should not be unduly stressed. It would be eminently preferable to increase our proportion of swimmers to non-swim-mers by educating parents in the desirability of their childieu acquiring practical knowledge of the subject and by stimulating the children to enthusiasm through the agency of insnictors and members of school staffs. I-lawera is well-favoured in the matter of facilities, for not only has the Council provided a well-equipped pool, but it has kept rules and regulations ■governing the use of the baths down to a minimum. The scale of charges, •the hours, and the control exercised ; 'by the capable officer of the 'Council in daily attendance are all features calculated to allow the community to extract the greatest, benefit and enjoyment from the baths. No local body could reasonably have done more to further the object which the New Zealand Council has in mind, namely, the encouragement of pupils in the art; any further developments bnist come as the result of personal activity by swimmers themselves. Hawora is at present experiencing a lean ■period, so far as competitive swimming is concerned, but fortunately the 'dearth of potential champions locally has not robbed the club of its enthusiasm. It. is when the supply of outstanding performers is at a low ebb that the promotion of competitions can achieve most good for swimming as a 'sport, and the club’s action in proVnoting a carnival to be held to-morrow 'and Thursday nights is to be com'mended and deserves the support of (tlie community.