ENVIABLE RECORD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 77, 14 March 1935, Page 3

ENVIABLE RECORD

Te Awa Swimming Club ' PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES ' It any better example of club spirit and a sincere interest 111 swimming and lite-saving were needed, it would be diiticult to find one beyond the -social gathering held last night by members of the Te Awa Swimming Chib, in honour of the team which won the “Herald” Cup. About 60 mcnibere were gathered at the Troeadero tea-rooms to enjoy an evening of entertaining items, to witness the presentation of certificates, and to inspect the almost bewildering number of cups won by club members at the 1935 provincial championships. Mr John Mason, president of the club, said it was apparent that the club occupied a prominent position in the swimming sphere in Hawke s Bay. Since 1922 the dub members had set no lower than 38 provincial records—a remarkable performance. In the past 12 months the club mem- i bership had doubled. The life-saving 1 work of the club was too well known I to dwell upon, though it should be ; noted that the activities of the club : teams had resulted in a marked stimu- I libs in various parts of the district, and the forming of other life-saving teams. Mr H. Le Bas, the club chairman, said it had to be recorded with regie! that Miss Mavis Simmonds, who had done so much for younger fcwimuiers, had decided to retire from active swimming. However, it was pleasing to know she would not be lost to the club, lor the had offered to help with the coaching of jonnger members of the club. It was a source of gratification to himself and the executive that the membership had doubled itself in the past year. He looked to the time when as in 1917, the Te Awa swimming dull had the largest membership of any club in Australia or New Zealand. (Hear, hear). Items of entertainment were given by Messis van Tickle (Hawaiian guitar), W. Ireland ami W. Quarne (humoroui, duologues). Will Keen (songs), L. Dadson and J. Hamilton (tap dances , T. Ireland (songs). Chib members whose performances at the 1935 provincial championships resulted in the club's winning the “Herald” cup, awarded for the club which won the most points in senior and intermediate sections, were Misses Mavis Simmonds, B. Kccble, B. Smith, M. Rowe, Mrs 1). Scarfc; Messrs S. Boardman, B. Snaddon, R. Carey and R. Jones. Mr Mason congratulated the team upon its record, and eaid he hoped the club would maintain the standard set by the team. Among the trophies on exhibition was a fine shield presented by the central executive in London of the Royal Life-Saving Society, to the Hawke s Bay centre. As Mr Mason described it, the shield is a magnificent example of craftsmanship in metal work. It is mounted on an oaken baee 2ft. 6ms. 111 height, and enclosed in a glass-fronted case. The shield iteclf appears to be made of highly polished chromium steel alloy upon which have been super-im-posed a series of plaques ami metal cameos that form a most attractive trophy. At the head of the chichi is a cross-section depicting a method of resuscitation. Lower down is this inscription, “Presented to the Hawke’s Bav Head Centre in New Zealand by the Central Executive, London, of the Royal LifeSaving Society, 1934, to stimulate instruction in the art of life-saving from drowning.” This shield should, as Mr Mason said, do much towards focusing the attention of the public to the inherent value in life-saving, and encourage swimmer,s to make themselves competent in this branch of swimming. Members present at the duh gathering last night were very interested in the reminiscences of Messrs C. Simmonds and T. Rouse, who recalled many old incidents connected with the club history, and with those who m the past helped to make it. The gathering then dispersed with the singing of “Auld Lang Sync.” j