LADY SWIMMERS' TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19459, 15 October 1926, Page 14

LADY SWIMMERS' TOUR.

VISITORS FROM AUSTRALIA. AUCKLAND CENTRE OBJECTS. LENGTH OF TRIP AND COST. Opposition to tha proposed tour of New Zealand by the Australian lady swimmers, Miss Claire Couldwell and Miss Ettie Robertson, was voiced at the annual meeting of the Auckland Swimming Centre last evening. The principal objections were in regard to the length of the tour and the financial aspect, the centre finally deciding to oppose only one appearance of the swimmers in Auckland and to point out that the proposed itinerary was too long. The New Zealand Association wrote stating that an effort was being made to have the swimmers commence the tour on November 24 and conclude after taking part in the New Zealand championships on January 22 to 28. As far as could be ascertained at present the cost of the tour would be £550, thus making it the most costly tour the association had yet undertaken. The tour would be long and plenty of opportunity would be given for visiting country clubs. The council anticipated a loss of £IOO would be incurred on the tour. Club? would not lose anything, but on the other hand it. would be virtually impossible for them to make a profit. The visit, as far as the clubs were concerned, would be for the purpose of helping along the sport and not supplying a cash balance. The Proposed Itinerary. The itinerary submitted by the association provided for the swimmers appearing in the Auckland district as follows: — November 25, Dargavilie; November 26, Helensville; November 27 and 29, Auckland: November 30, Morrinsville; December 1, Hamilton; Dedember 3, Te Awamutu; January 22 to 28, Auckland for New Zealand championships. Mr. L. Brighton raised objection to the tour on the ground that, the £IOO which the association estimated it would lose on the tour woqld be likely to come from the Olympic fund Ke thought this money should be kept for sending New Zealand swimmers abroad. Mr. J. Enwright said no encouragement at all was being offered to New Zealand swimmers. He did not think ths tour should be undertaken at all, when our own swimmers are unable to go any further than win Dominion championships. Mr. T. C. Hobks-Jones said he thought the programme was altogether too ambitious, The Australians would not. be likely to appear to advantage in the New Zealand championships after;the extensive travelling they were expected to do. Other speakers thought that if the centre referred to approved the tour it might be placed in an awkward position with the association. It was stated the centre would only be cutting its own throat. Swimming in the Country. Mr. R. Cowlev: Tlie position is that the centre cannot afford to pay £SO for the appearance of the swimmers. They are not in the first-class section and they have been beaten by New Zealand girls. Swimming is losing its popularity in the country and country clubs are going out of existence altogether. Several motions were put to the meeting before any one was agreed upon. After defeating a motion to approve the. tour provided the centre did not- have to pay the expenses of the swimmers during the championships week, the meeting favoured a resolution giving no support to the tour hut. allowing clubs thp option of accepting. This motion was later withdrawn in favour of the following, which was finally carried: —" That the centre approves the tour providing it is curtailed to a certain extent, and agrees to only one appearance of the swimmers in Auckland at a £25 guarantee."