OLYMPIC GAMES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15921, 6 May 1912, Page 2

OLYMPIC GAMES.

QUESTION OF SWIMMING REPRESENTATIVE. OLYMPIC COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE. An adjourned meeting of the Council of the Swimming Association was held on Saturday to meet Mr A. Marriott, chairman of the Olympic Council, in connection with the deadlock existing in regard.to the nomination of Mr E. Champion as a New Zealand swimming competitor, at the Olympic Games at Stockholm. Mr George Harris presided.

Mr Marriott said that the Olympic Council had not received Champion's nomination till April 15, and by that time all efforts to secure funds had been closed, under the belief that only Hill and Wilding would be going to the Games. For this purpose" a sum of £2OO was required, although it was possible that Wilding would pay his own expenses from London to Stockholm. His expenses, if they had to be paid by the Council, would be £35. This left a sum of £165 for Hill. The Olympic Council had. known nothing of Champion's intention to go to London until he arrived in Wellington, and at that time all avenues of -subscriptions had been exhausted. He was now in the same position as Hill, fcr whom £l6O had ■, been subscribed. Deducting the amount paid for Champion's boat fare (£6O), a sum...of £IOO was still required, and the Olympic Council must have a guarantee for that amount. He did not think that the amount of £SO, at one time promised by Auckland, would be forthcoming. Already the Council had had difSculty'iri getting the; amount of £75 subscribed, in Auckland for Hill, and then only by passing a motion to the effect that Hill would, not be nominated if the money, were not forthcoming. ' The Council, therefore, did . not rely on vague promises by Auckland, especially as Champion himself did not rely on them. The Olympic Council would accept Mr Harris's guarantee of £SO contingent on Auckland first subscribing £SO, but it did not desire to deal with anybody other than the Swimming Association. The Council was not hostile to Champion's nomination, but if he were nominated the Olympic Council would be responsible for all his expenses. Mr'K. Bassett asked why Champion's expenses from London should be £IOO, as compared with Wilding's £35. Mr Marriott replied that Champion would require expenses not incurred by Wilding. The Council did not expect men - to go to London.without anything in their pockets; and .Champion would have to be maintained, in England for several weeks. The sum of £IOO would carry him through the All England' championships -. . • I In reply toj other cruestions, Mr Marriott said that, the Council would not require- the :cash before nominating Champion. The Association's guarantee would bo sufficient.

The meeting then adjourned after thanking Mr Marriott for his attendances ;.:y- •

TO THE EDITOR. '.•*/' Sir, —I have been requested ,•"•■ Dvi'the: Council of the N.Z.A.S.A. to ask you to give, publicity to the appeal for subscriptions that is being made to the public to enable M. E. Champion to compete in the_ Olympic. Games as the dominion's swimming ]representative; and thus complete the team (Wilding and Hill) already nominated. A sum of £IOO is required, of which the great- ■ erportion will probably have to be raised in Canterbury. Subscriptions of any amount will be received by me, care,of Box 391. Christchurch.—l am, etc., N. GOLDSBURY, Hon. Sec. N.Z.A.S.A.