SWIMMING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13874, 11 April 1907, Page 5

SWIMMING.

By Plunge., 1 -

At a,meeting of'tho Otago Centro-oMh©, N.Z. Amateur Swimming Association/ 'ieldf-—v last week, an \ important question was* brought forward as to the advisability-iof sending Now Zealand swimmers to 'Aus- ' ':J tralia in tho-future to compete in: tho Australasian championships. It was'7pointed ! out that, in the 'interests of swimmers- in New Zealand, and also from a' financial;. point' of view, it would bo 'bet--" 'tor- to pay tho expenses of- somoi good amateur swimmers from . tlioi , other side to tour Acw Zealand,.], giving exhibitions of swimming''.and life- I saving in-tho different: centres, andi-so-grw?./, New Zcalandcre a good chanco of' pickingi'. up tho differentstyksof-'swimming, , •; The publia. of Duncdin aro '•) GiL*:f.ic ovor-tiio. ])ro}KXu:d -public h;rths. 'Thov. petitions which • ago are, now coming 'in---freely. Thcy'totai!' number of signatures-up : thing- near 3(2)0, one petition-containing an : record of 157 signatures, . ■ ir.any prominent business men. I feeKnuo,'.''' tliatitlia deputation which -waits -onfctfioCrtjr.. ■Council's subcommittee-: next Tvoek^AvilUgctY ■' a .satisfactory answer. As a result of the great-numbcr:ot-drown-; ing accidents lately, numerous inquiries have becniooming in from'thc country>ias to tho fysfc'inethod of saving' life"arid/ro-, -storing tho apparently drowned. As - this is a very iinportaut tEnigto-know, tho local Swimming Association, havo docideihto issvo an illustrated pamplilet slrartly, and;'circu- ' late it all over tho.-provinoe, aud i also-givo demonstrations at tho swimming touma- ' < menta next season.

Competing in a milo handicap swimming race at Brisbane last week, Spring-; field, who swam so -well' at Christchurch, won from scratch, doing three-quarters of a milo in 18min 7scc, and "tho-mile in 25minJ Ssee. The timo for tho three-quarters , beats. Healy's recently-established world's record by 2-sseo.

There is a. .prolabiltty of Billiiigton, tho English professional ewimmcr, touring New Zealand. He intends giving exhibitions of .swimming, and would compete in matches if these could ho arranged. Billington would like to .meet". Cavil], who is at preseot-in Now Zealand.