SWIMMING IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20596, 21 June 1930, Page 14

SWIMMING IN SCHOOLS.

CERTIFICATES PRESENTED.

INCREASE IN AUCKLAND.

Yesterday marked another milestone on the road of the Auckland Primary Schools' Swimming Association when Messrs. Burns, patron, McGregor, president, Stratford, secretary, and Moore, of the Auckland Swimming Association, visited the formal School in order to present certificates and tcophies. Mr. McGregor, in introducing the patron who is also chairman of the Education Board, mentioned the splendid rei ?,, sw " nm i n g carnival which had been held recently. In giving figures to indicate the extent to which swimming had grown, he mentioned that in 1925 " e " er6 250 certificates awarded, in 1929, with 169 schools in the Auckland 1 rovince entered, there was a total of 5068 certificates granted. "This represents," he said, approximately one-third of those given in the Dominion."

Mr. Burns stressed the value of swimming. It is my hope," he said, "that every school will be equipped with a swimming bath and that the subject will be compulsory in .our schools. The expense will bo heavy, but tho resultant advantage to tho children will be enormous. Although wo are facing a financial stringency, I believo that the country will pull through easily—it is still tho best country in the world." Mentioning tho baths for tho Normal School, he expressed the hope that now a stream had been discovered the children would have their own baths before another season had passed. Mr. Burns referred to tho cup which he was to present to the school. This cup was won by the girls on aggregate points in tho recent carnival. In handing it to the captain of tho relay team ho reminded them that only by continued progress in swimming could the school hope to hold it next year. 110 also handed to Sonia Parkes a certificate for tho champion breaststroke swimmer at the same carnival. Tho following awards were also made School champion breaststroke (boys), Birch Cup, Ralph Beare; girls, Pettit Cup, Soma Parkes. Certificates issued by the Auckland Swimming Association, which totalled 35, were also presented.