SWIMMING

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3494, 2 November 1926, Page 10

SWIMMING

MANAWATU CENTRE MEETING. ANNUAL GATHERING OP DELEGATES. The annual general meeting Ov dclegates of the Manawatu Swimming Centre was held last evening, when the retiring president, Mr. J. I 1 alley, presided. Also present; Messrs. J. Devine, G. Neal (P.N.), H. Parsonage L. Bramwcll (Feilding), W. Eyre (Y.M.C.A.), W. R. Tillock (Terrace End), and Mr. A. R. Jacobson, delegate to New Zealand Council. The annual report (previously published) was adopted on the motion of the chairman and Mr. Devine. The balance sheet disclosed the receipts at £BO 7s id. and the expenditure at £72 7s Id. leaving a, credit balance of £s. The value of assets over liabilities was £l4 4s. Election Of Officers. The election of officers resulted as below; Patron, Mr. F. J. Nathan; President: Mr. T. F. Fitzgerald (Feilding); vice-presidents: Messrs. A. MclCcgg, H. L. Y r oung, H. C. Collins.on and J. T. Fahey: lion, secretary and treasurer: Mr. W. Nicholls (Feilding); auditor: A. J. Geary: starter: J. Fahey; polo referee: Mr. lE.IE. Persson; educational officer: Mr. W. Schwarz; handicapper: Mr. W. Eyre: time-keepers: Messrs, R. McCulloch, N. D. Stubbs, L. Cimino, R. A. Cliffc. The Australian Swimmers.

In reply to a wire regarding the Australian lady swimmers, the secretary of the New Zealand Association wrote, acknowledging receipt, and advised that lit) did not think there would be tlie slightest difficulty ir. getting a date to suit Palmerston North. As shown in the itinerary, there was plenty of time between leaving Wellington and arriving at Auckland, in January, for a carnival to..be worked in at Palmerston North. Should a carnival be staged on January IS or 19, it would probably mean (that many of the swimmers cu route ito the championships from Welling--1 ton and the South Island would be keen to break the journey and take part in a carnival, with the visiting ladies. In regard to the terms, the Council had decided to offer the swimmers a straight-out basis of 50 per cent, of the gross gate, as past experience had shown that guarantees in Manawatu had resulted in a loss.

It was reported that Feilding had decided to accept the offer of a visit of the Australian ladies, and Mr. E. Persson stated that according to a report in the papers, Mr. Fitzgerald had declared that the Manawatu Centre had displayed apathy in the matter. Mr. Persson strongly objected to the insinuation. Mr. H. Parsonage stated that Mr. Fitzgerald was unavoidably absent from the meeting, but he had intended, if present to explain the matter.

“I wish to sec this matter cleared up, and through the press," stated Mr. Persson.

Mr. Neal took exception to the fact that the Feilding Club had not applied to the Centre, and contended that the New Zealand Association was at fault in aiding the clubs to ignore the Centres. “It’s not a fair thing to the Centres,” he assorted. Mr. Robbie pointed out that the Association had written several letters containing numerous threats regarding unfinancial clubs. yet Feilding at the time was unfinancial, and had been offered a date. “It’s inconsistent, if nothing else,” ho remarked.

Mr. Parsonage remarked that he did not think the report of his club's meeting was correct, but Mr. Fitzgerald would attend to the matter. It was decided to write to the Now Zealand Association, asking why it wrote to one club in the Centre and not to the other clubs. Mr. Neal thought that in view of the attitude taken by the Association, the Centro should Insist on a fair interval between the visit of the swimmers to Palmerston North and Fcilding. The matter of fixing any definite arrangements was hold over pending reply from the Association.

Manawatu And The Championships. The Centre’s delegate on the New Zealand Council (Mr. A. R. Jacobson) wrote advising that from inquiries made, it appeared that no South Island centre would bo applying for the Now Zealand championships in 1928, and there was a possibility of the southern delegates, in the absence of definite Instructions, voting in favour of holding them in Manawatu if so desired. The chairman stataed that judging from the feeling of the delegates at the last conference at Napier, it would appear that Manawatu could have the championships for the more asking. He considered that the Hawke’s Bay Centre had controlled the last meeting in a. highly creditable manner. Mr. Neal contended that Manawatu would bo wise not to bold tbo championships in Palmerston North, us the facilities were not available for such a big meeting. Mr. Persson: ‘'Manawatu put. in for them two years ago and did not get them.” Mr. Parsonage suggested that a meeting of the Centre be, held prior to the Council meeting, to discuss the matter, and it was decided to adopt this course. General. The Y.M.C.A. Club wrote, applying for permission to hold a carnival on February 2 next year.—Held over. Tm- question of bolding the meetings of the Centre alternatively in Palmerston North and Feilding. was held over until next meeting. Voles of thanks lo the retiring seejrotary, Mr, E. Persson. and president, Mr. J. Fahey, were passed.