SWIMMING NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8609, 20 December 1913, Page 14

SWIMMING NOTES

By “Trudge.”

One could not help noticing, at the last meeting of the executive committee of the Wellington Swimming Association, tho business-like manner—especially as contrasted with similar meetings last year—in which tho new executive have adopted their present constituted rules. A motion "That during the present season all carnivals in the city baths bo run by the Centre,” provoked a. great deal of discussion, and mot with great opposition from those of tho older members, wbo, unfortunately, are unable to see eye-to-eye with those who, in “Trudge’s” opinion, are doing what is best to push the sport along in this city. It is a noteworthy fact that the gentlemen who opposed such reform do not now hold office. Mr Cooper, who brought the matter up, fully explained the relation of tho centre to the City Council. He produced facts and figures to show that the baths were being occupied by one club, whoso membership consists of probably about 100 members, to tho detriment of the public of Wellington. Ho illustrated this as being the strong factor why the centre should in future handle all carnivals. Tho motion was lost by five votes to nine. Had it gone through. “Trudgo” thinks that tho result would not have been entirely for tho centre’s own pecuniary benefit, but would have been in the best interests of swimming. There is no doubt that the matter will again come in for discussion, and as soon as the more farseeing members get a grip of the new idea, it will become law. When it became a certainty that there was no possibility of Duke Kahanamoku paying us a visit, the centre immediately cast round for some other way in which sw'imming might be rendered more attractive and educational this season, with the result that Mr J. F. Atkins has been empowered by the executive to make arrangements for a visit of several prominent swimmers from Sydney. With this object in view, Mr Atkins has already got into correspondence with Mr Cecil Healy, who now; holds an important position in tho newspaper world over there. Mr Atkins is very sanguine that Mr Healy will do all in his p'ower to bring about the visit. The new standard certificates have been adopted by the Wellington Centre, the distances to be: —SO, 100, 220, 440. 880, 1760, and 220 yards breast-stroke for men, and 100 yards for women. It is to be hoped that the standard will not be set too high. Mr P. Wilton was asked to appear at the last meeting of tho executive to explain his reasons for a statement, ho was reported to have made at the annual meeting of the Swifts Club, that certificates were being issued to school children for distances they were not capable of swimming. Mr Wilton did not appear, and a letter has been sent to him asking him to attend the next meeting. Tho executive have unanimously endorsed the action of the referee in last Saturday’s polo match, in supplying them with a lengthy report of the game. This is undoubtedly one of tho first movements towards cleaning up the game here. There is, in “Trudge’s” opinion, a great deal of unnecessary argument amongst the players. This was especially noticeable with one of the teams in last Saturday’s match, and it must be put a stop to if the game is to progress as it should.