SWIMMING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15922, 7 May 1912, Page 9

SWIMMING.

NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL

CHAMPION AND THE OLYMPIC • GAMES.,

The Council of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association met last night at the United Service Hotel; present:—Messrs G. Harris (m the chair), H. S. Williams, K. Bassett, George Reese, A. Donaldson and N. Goldsbury (hon secretary). In reply to a letter from the Hawke's Bay Northern Rugby'Football League, it was decided to state that Northern League players forfeited their amateur status as swimmers.

A letter was read from the Department of Internal Affairs, asking whether the different branches of the Royal Life-saving Society were affiliated to the Association.

It was decided to reply that the branches throughout the dominion had affiliated, and ask for the payment of tho grant of £3OO for the present season.

A deputation consisting of'the president (Mr G. Harris), Messrs G. Reese, K. Bassett and the secretary was appointed to wait on the Minister of Internal Affairs on his visit to Christchurch respecting the payment to the Council of the Government grant for the encouragement of swimming and life-saving in the dominion. A cheque from the "Wellington head centre of the Royal Life-saving Society for £2 10s towards the expenses of M. E. Champion at Stockholm was received with thanks, and at the request of the centre it was decided to enter Champion lor the King's Cup, the lifesaving cliamoionship of England. The following, report -of the subcommittee set up to deal with a sum of money amounting to about £IOO, left over from a grant made by the Government to the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association (Registered). Auckland, about ten years ago for educational purposes, was adopted: t; That considering . the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association has, since 1900, spent a considerable portion of its funds on issuing certificates to school children, it is reasonable to place the amount of the special school giant, iri all. about £IOO, to the credit of the certificate account, namely, to reimburse the competitive account up to a year ago and the humane account since" then with the amount expended, and earmark the balance for future certificates.". The Canterbury Centre wrote protesting against the class of medals supplied to championship winners, and suggesting that tenders should be called lor medals of a value of £3* 3s, as fixed by the rules. It was decided to reply that the medals already cost the Council more than £3 3s each. A request by the Canterbury Centre for a rebate o'f entry fees towards second-place money at the championship meeting was refused, on the ground that the rules did not permit of such allowances. The secretary was requested to procure medals for the schoolgirls and schoolboys' chamnionshins of Hawke s Bay and Canterbury, for which app'ication had been mtlde. The Canterbury Centre also wrote, stating that the orders for prizes won by Christchurch competitors at the Timaru Carnival on Boxing Day had not been forwarded to the winners, and the Centre could no satisfaction from Timaru. Jt was decided that if no reply was received from the South Canterbury Centro to tho secretary's inquirie* on the same subject; Air Goldsbury should visit Timaru and•'• ascertain the cause of the delay. '•" ;<=•••' A request was made by the lantcibury Centre for permission! to join with Wellington in negotiating for a visit of a team of Sydney swimmers next summer. . Permission was granted, subject to tho usual condition that all moneys connected with the team's expenses should Mass through the New Zealand and New South" Wales Councils. A telegram was received from the Auckland Centre, stating that there wa« no foundation for the report that it held an additional £SO towards the £IOO required by the Olympia Council for Champion's expenses to Stockholm.

The chairman stated that as Champion was on the way to Stockholm tho Council must face the oroblem of raising the whole £IOO. It was decided to ask the Centres that had not replied to the request for assistance to take immediate steps in the matter. Favourable reports were received from local collectors, stating that between £3O and £4O had been received to date and with the further assistSince that was expected the whole amount would bo forthcoming. It was decided that as- very little time was left to raise the money another meeting should be held on Thursday evening next. Applications for school certificatewere referred to a sub-committee. A cheque from the Wairarapa Ama-

tour Swimming Club for £3 3s for., affiliation fees was received.