SWIMMING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22860, 15 October 1937, Page 18

SWIMMING

LACK OF FACILITIES - MORE POOLS NEEDED AUCKLAND CENTRE'S COMPLAINT The lack of swimming facilities in Auckland was commented on by the chairman of the Auckland Swimming Centre, Mr. T. C. Hobbs-Jones, in the course of a discussion upon the forthcoming national "learn-to-swim" week at the centre's annual meeting last night. Mr. Hobbs-Jones instanced the Auckland Grammar School, which, although having a roll of 900 pupils, was not equipped with a swimming pool. Ho also referred to the fact that there was no pool in Onehunga. The centre, continued Mr. Hobbs-Jones, would not be satisfied until baths were provided | in every populous district. Mr. Hobbs-Jones said that school-teachers had advised against holding tho learn-to-swim" week from December 0 to 11, the dates decided upon, as examinations would bo hold at that time. , „ J Tho president of the Auckland Head Contro of the Royal Life-Saving Society. Mr. A. Macgregor, said ho hoped that the campaign would not take place on tho dates suggested. Referring to the proposed National Council of Sport. Mr. Macgregor expressed his opposition to centralisation. The councii. he considered, should not consist of heads of sporting organisations resident in Wellington. An assurance was given by Mr. Macgregor of the willingness of the Royal Life-Saving Society and tho Surf Lifo-Saving Association to co-operato with tho centre in encouraging swimming. Tho centre decided to notify the National Council of Swimming and Life-Saving that tho dates proposed for the "learn-to-swim week were not suitable for Auckland, and to suggest February. .... It was agreed to open the competitive season with a combined carnival on November 0, delegates being of tho opinion that tho promotion of a carnival on a Saturday night should bo tried as an experiment. It was also resolved to decide the intermediate and junior championships on December 7. and tho senior championships on Decomber *Tho chairman said that no visits of overseas champions could bo arranged this season but it was hoped that when the Canadian swimmers called at Auckland on their way to tho British Empire Games next February, they would compete at a carnival or give exhibitions. . . Tho election of officers resulted as follows ; _Pittron, Sir Ernest Davis; vicapatrons, Hon. W. E. Parry and Hon. 1. Bloodworth, M.L.C.; president. Dr. 1. H. Pcttit; vice-presidents, Sir Cecil Loys, Hon. Eliot Davis, Messrs. J. Sayegh, J. <C. Clouston, G. S. Poole, C. G. Macindoe, G Moyle, D. H. Holderness, H. Wright, L. Coakloy, E. H. Pliclan, A. W. Pascoe, A. L. Pike, E W. Sharp L. Munro, G. Grey-Campbell, Mesdames E. Johnston, E. W. Sharp; chairman, Mr. T. C. Hobbs-Jones; vice-chairman, Mr. R. Moore; honorary secretary, Mr. J. R. Miller; honorary treasurer, Mr. H. E. Bonnett; honorary auditor, Mr. A. L. like; internal auditor, Mr. tL. W. Grey; local officer Mr. D. Mulvihill; handicappers, Messrs. W. A»« Elwarth, G. Chamberlain. J. RMiller; handicapping recorder, Mr. H. Leonard; starters, Messrs. L. Brighton, C. Harper; referees, Messrs. J. J. Enwright, 1. C Hobbs-Jones; delegate to tho council or the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association Mr. H. Goldsmith; timekeepers, Messrs! E. Maud, A. Maud, J. K. Douglas, M. Ivronfeld, J. M. Coltman, E. Coltman, Kohn, W. Breed; timekeepers' steward, Mr W. South by; honorary medical officers, Drs. T. H. Pettit, J. A. Watson; honorary solicitors, Messrs. S. Maxwell Walker, B. Kingston; delegates to the Auckland Water Polo Control Board, Messrs. W. Elwarth, J. J. Enwright; educational officer, Mr. Jr. W. Grey; management committee, Messrs. L. Richardson, A. J. Whyte, F. W. Grey, D. McVinney.

PROGRESS IN SCHOOLS ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES A quiet season so far as the issue of certificates was concerned was reviewed by Mr. D. Saunders, educational officer to the Auckland Centre of tho New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, for most of the past year, in a report'presented at the centres annual meeting last night. The quietness, the report stated, was due to' the epidemic of infantile paralysis and the closing of the schools during February, when most of the larger schools do thejr testing work. Many schools, however, put in a considerable amount of work with their pupils in the early part of the season. To these schools which were able to make applications for awards great credit was due. The total number of certificates issued was 1720, and tho number of schools applying was 46., A report submitted by Mr. Saunders to the conference of swimming, life-saving and surf life-saving associations outlined his observations and suggestions. These were as follows: —(1) The control of certificate issuo by the Education Department and a stricter inspection of work being done in primary schools. (2) The subsidising of swimming clubs assisting in instruction among Bchool children. (3) The serious loss of life in New Zealand from accidental drownings. (4) The need for swimming qualifications in applicants for positions as physical instructors in schools. (5) The inadequate facilities provided for ths teaching of swimming in schools. The conference approved all of Mr. Saunders' suggestions. The report was adopted, the chairman, Mr. T. C. Hobbs-Jonrs, expressing the centre's regret at its loss through the transfer of Mr. Saunders to a teaching appointment in North Auckland. It was decided to send him a letter of thanks, and to place on record appreciation of his services as educational officer.

HAMILTON OFFICERS ELECTED [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Thursday The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Hamilton branch of the National Committee of Swimming and Life-saving:—Patron, Mrs. R. English; president, Mr. L. I. Day; secretary, Mr, E. H. Grorott; committee, Miss M. Campbell. Messrs. A. Boulton, E. Roskruge, F. E. S Long; coach, Mr. N. Sutherland. It was reported that "learn to swim" week would be held from December 6 to 11 and that it was hoped to have the use of five swimming baths for the campaign.