SWIMMING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12996, 11 December 1902, Page 6

SWIMMING.

NEW ZEALAND'AMATEUR ASSOCIATION. A special general meeting of the Christchurch Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, was held last night at the Claa'endon Hotel. There was a large attendance of delegates, aind Mr Bishop occupied the chair. The meeting was called to consider the question of holding swimming sports' at Lyttelton on New Year's day, but.it was resolved ' that the current correspondent* should also be dealt with. Sports programmes from the Lancastei Park, Riccarton, Leithfield oaid Greymouth Clubs' were laid before the meeting and proved.The Secretary of the Dunedin Amateur Swimming Club wrote stating that the visit of. the Ohristchurch team was being eagerly looked forward to by swimmers. A meeting to form a ladies' club was shortly to ba held. ; The Port Chalmers Regatta Club wrote stating that an inter-club race would be held on Boxing Day if sufficient inducement were held out. The Secretary reported that ho had communicated with the" Secretary of the cluo. Mr C. T. Aschman, secretary of the Council of the N.Z.A.S.A. wrote congratulating the Centre on its successful season. He also wrote asking for an "expression 01 opinion on, : the notice of motion, to be moved by ' Mr Alack at the nextCouncil meeting, namely—" That tho New Zealand Championships should be competed for over the following distances—looyds, 150yds, 220yds and 440yds; and that the plunge, half-mile- and mile championships should 1 be struck out; that the standard time for the'lsoyds.-should be Imin 52sec, and that the Centres should be asked for an expression of opinion respecting the retention of the water polo championship." Mr Sibbald said he thought that it would bo a great pity if the long-distance events named-were struck out. They had figured on tho programmes for many years; and had practically grown up with, the sport, and t'heiri deletion would mean the loss of their old traditions and the building up of new ones. He moved that, in the opinion of the 'Centre, .the deletion of the long-dis-tance championships would bo a great mistake, as it was their aim to encourage longdistance swimming. •Mr Buchanan seconded tho motion, which was carried. -.-

It was also resolved that the 150yds, the water, plunge,., and l water polo championships should be retained. The- Chairman reported that, with Mr Johnson} he had waited on the Lyttelton, (Regatta. Committee and had '-discussed the •question of swimming sports being' held' in connection with the regatta on New Year's Day. There was a chance of the graving dock being occupied on regatta day, and t"ne question was whether in these circumstances the meeting ; should ■ be held at all. He thought they were not justified in allowing the meeting to lapse. They-were not tied to any particular course, and several other «ports> had been suggested by the Regatta Committee as likely to be suitable for the purpose. The conference had been of a most amicable nature* and th© Regatta Committee had voted the- sum of 15 guineas, to- be placed at the disposal of the club, on condition that they held the meeting. H 0 impressed upon the delegates that if they allowed the meeting, to lapse, they would perhaps never have another opportunity to again-take it up in connection with the regatta. It was resolved that "a- strong committee should visit Lyttelton and inspect the likely sports, and. .subject to its favourable report, a meeting should be held. A programme of sports was presented and approved for the occasion, and a 220 Yards Provincial Championship was added, the prizes tor be 3 guineas and -1 guinea. ■ The allocation of the Schools Championships were made as follow?: —Lancaster Park, 100yds; Richmond, 75yds; Sydenham, 50yds ; and Christchurch,. 25yds.