TEPID BATHS CHOSEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23851, 30 December 1940, Page 9

TEPID BATHS CHOSEN

SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS OLYMPIC POOL UNSUITABLE Contrary to expectations with the construction of the Olympic Pool at Newmarket at a cost of £'35,000, the annual championships of the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association will this season he held in the Tepid Baths. The principal factor which influenced the centre in its decision is the lack of roofing at the Olympic Pool with the consequent risk of postponement owing to rain, which could not be entertained. It is pointed out that the centre has no objection to the Olympic Pool, but rather would prefer to hold the meeting there. Unfortunately, the dates allotted for the meeting could not be altered owing to the probable absence 011 holiday of competitors at the beginning of January. The meeting can be held 110 later than January 11. as the entrants for the New Plymouth carnival on January 2-5 had to be selected and forwarded 10 clear days before. In view of the extraordinary circumstances, the centre decided unanimously in favour of the Tepid Baths for the championship fixture. Another matter which swayed opinion toward the Tepid Baths was the question of cost, the hire of the Olympic Bath for one night being considerably more than the £'6 10s required for the Tepid Baths. The opinion was also expressed that the length of the Newmarket poo], 50 metres, might throw too much strain on junior competitors. One delegate favoured the Tepid Baths because they were considered the fastest in Now Zealand, and the swimming would be of a higher standard.