SWIMMING.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 56, 11 March 1910, Page 6

SWIMMING.

HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT

The Blenheim "municipal" baths -were unofficially opened yesterday afternoon, when the annual swimming tournament of the High School was held. These sports have hitherto been held in the river, where it was found that the water was much too cold and the banks not the best ?iew-point in the world. There was also a vague feeling of danger and .responsibility, and it was generally conceded that the baths were an ideal spot for the tournament, a sprinkling of parents who were interested onlookers, theie wem present: Messrs R. McCal urn (Chairman), and DA. Strachui (Injector), representing the MariKough Education Board; Messrs J. Aivrnnipv T A. Revell, D. if. bindak E J. HiU, and A. 'R : Thomson, SEES? Af?* ff end E. Parker (representing the Borough Council). . The basin was full of clean water, and the temperature was just tne thing for bathing, and a great number of boys were disporting themselves in the water. At one o'clock Mr Gouldmg gave the signal for the boys to muster on thMr ai^' McCallum. addressing^the assembled boys, said he was there to wish them a pleasant inauguration or ihe tournament upon such a beautiful site. Swimming was a thing they were supposed to be all able to do. Some were endowed with the faculty of swimming right away. Some ot the uncultured required tuition in the art It was a very easy thing to keep the human body above water when the way was taught them. Mr.Goulding was the very man to teach them the •art of swimming and life-saving. Life-saving was now part of the school curriculum. He would throw out a lint how the Baths Committee could obtain some money. The Government would pay a subsidy of 2s 6d pei oliild for 20 lessons up to the fomtli .standard. As that would; Wit be-, tween 400 and 500 boys and girls they Sfald see that the funds would be materially augmented. Mr McCallum then read a list of the various records held throughout the world for swimmine divine, etc. The Education SS aid the Board of Governors, representing as they did the whole of -the children of the Marlborough schools and the High School, heartily welcomed the establishment ot batns in Blenheim. The matter should have keen taken up by the civic authorities. The civic authorities hesitated, and o committee of gentlemen who were interested took up the matter. He woftld not say that the committee had made- no mistakes, but they had done permanent service to the town and district. The dispute between the Baths Committee and the Borough Council was unfortunate, but he hoped it would soon end. They had the foundation of the baths before them. Ap architect had given an adverse opinion upon that foundation. Whether that opinion was right or wrong he would not say, but they knew that trade jealousy often crept in in these matters. He would say, however, that now they had tlie baths they should be carried forward to completion. He- had nothing to say against the Borough Council, who were probably endeavouring to conserve' the ratepayers' interests according to their views; but he certainly thought the Council should take the baths over and do what was needful to perfect them. This was the duty of tlie civic body. The Education Board and the Board of Governors would help if they could, but their funds were subject to Government audit, and they could only give the money for the lessons as he had explained. Mr J. Bell had given him (Mr McCallum) authority to hand over to the bath authorities, when the baths were" completed and in .working order, a cheque for £10. This was the spirit that should be emulated by the general public, and they would tiave baths worthy of the name and of tho town.

Mr Gouldmg pointed out to the boys that the baths were not open to the public, but had been placed at their disposal by the Baths Committee. He would ask the boys to return thanks to the Baths Committee and give them a hearty cheer. The lads responded lustily, and Mr D. P. Sinclair thanked them on behalf of the .Baths Committee. The sports were then proceeded with, with the following results:— 40yds Open Race.—First heat: J. Jenkins 1, A. Thomson 2, V. Stapp 3. i Second heat: R. Reid 1, R. Wemyss ' 2, N. Norman 3. Third heat: M. I Wanden 1, C. Fryer 2, P. Blick 3. ' Final: J. Jenkins 1, R. Reid 2, R. Wemyss 3. Junior Long Dive.—R. Wemyss 1, ,W. Penney 2. Senior Long Dive.—Freeth 1, C. R'abone 2.

SOyds Back Stroke.-—First heat: A. Thomson 1, Jenkins 2, Stapp 3. Second heat: R. Wemyss 1, N. Nairn 2, H. Grace 3. Final: Nairn 1, iWemyss 2. Thomson 3.

Novice Race.—H. Lane 1, Clemens ' % R, Reid 3. j Beginners' Race.—"W. Penney 1, ' K. Robertson 2. L. Bary 3. i 100 yds Open Race.—j. Jenkins 1, ' €. Fryer 2, P. Blick 3. i

25yds Dash.—First heat: B. Fowlei 1, H. Lane 2. Second heat: J. Jenkins 1, C. Rabone 2, P. Blifck and V. , fotapp 3. Final: Jenkins 1, Fowler! 2, Lane 3. i

Neat Dive: J. Jenkins 1, Bert j Wakehn 2, R. Reid 3. I