SWIMMING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 18 October 1937, Page 9

SWIMMING

COMBINED NELSON CLUB POPULAR OPENING FUNCTION Tlie Combined Nelson Men’s and Nelson Ladies’ Amateur Swimming Clubs opened the season on Saturday afternoon at the Municipal Baths in perfect weather. There was a good attendance of visitors and the Nelson Garrison Band enlivened the proceedings with the brightest of melodies. During the afternoon, swimming races diving and demonstrations were neld and afternoon lea was dispensed by members of the Ladies’ Club. Mr F. E. Boulton, President of the Men’s Club, in welcoming those present referred to the work done by the clubs during the past season, and to the attractions for the coming season. Club night are to be held every Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. A new system of teaching beginners by class drills in the water is to be commenced next Wednesday evening. Mr Boulton referred to the National “Learn to Swim” Week which is to be held throughout New Zealand early in December, and also 1o the New Zealand junior and intermediate championship meeting which is to he held in Nelson on 15th, 17th and 18th January 1938. The Mayor of Nelson (Mr G. L. Page) in officially declaring the season open congratulated the clubs on choosing such a fine afternoon for their function. He commended the efforts of the clubs in popularising swimming in the city and spoke of the advantages of swimming as an exercise and of the great value to the swimmers themselves. The Mayor read a telegram from Mr H. Atmore, M.P., expressing regret at

not being able to be present and wishing tlie clubs a prosperous season. Mr Page also apologised for the absence of Councillor McArthur. The City Council had always taken a keen interest in the Baths, and had recently, at considerable expense, added to the seating accommodation in view of the New Zealand Championships, said the Mayor. The baths were not a paying proposition and owing to the unseasonable weather experienced last season, showed a loss of £287. The Council did not mind the loss because it was realised that baths were an essential facility in the city. It was encouraging to the citizens to know that such a man as Mr D. Hellmrich manager of the Australian swimming team which visited Nelson last season, one of Australia’s foremost coaches,

considered the Nelson baths one of the finest open air swimming baths in New Zealand. The Mayor expressed, on behalf of the clubs and the City Council, appreciation of the work undertaken by the custodian, Mr Davy. The baths, he said, were a credit to Mr Davy. The Mayor, on behalf of Mrs Page, thanked the Ladies’ Club for electing her patron of the club, and suggested that she should take the first plunge off the top board. Mrs Page having declined with thanks the Mayor then declared the season open, and wished the clubs an enjoyable and pleasant season. The following were the results of events held during the afternoon: — Opening splash, 2 widths (Ist and last place counting): Men, Clarke first, Winter last. Ladies, Miss Marks first, Miss Glass last.

33 1-3 yards men’s dash (places for club ladder): Clarke 1, Gasquoine 2. 33 1-3 yards ladies’ handicap: Miss Marks 1, Miss Carpenter 2. 33 1-3 yards boys’ handicap: Thorp 1, Davy 2, Dayman 3. School boys’ race: Snow 1, Annear 2. School girls’ race: Barbara Hurst 1, K. Glass 2. An amusing burlesque of life saving was staged by Messrs Gasquoine and Kerr, in which the life saver had eventually to be rescued by the drowning subject. A demonstration of the various stages in the crawl stroke was given by Mr A. T. Bolam, also several items of stunt swimming. Further demonstrations or backstroke and under water swimming were staged by Messrs Gasquoine and Puklowski.