SWIMMING DISPUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18876, 31 May 1923, Page 8

SWIMMING DISPUTE.

AN EXPLANATION BY THE COUNCIL SECRETARY. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 30. Reference to the statement of Mr Cliffe, non. secretary of the Auckland Swimming’ Centre, arising out of the threatened suspension of the Auckland Centre, was made this morning by the secretary of the council (Mr B. O’Neill), who said that the statement made by Mr Cliffe altogether misrepresented the position. As long ago as March 7 Auckland had been informed that its method of arranging the visit of tho Australian lady swimmers was irregular and that an adequate explanation would be looked for

“As far as we have been able to ascertain the facts,” said Mr O’Neill, “we have not been aided in our quest by the officials in Auckland. In February negotiations were opened between (he chairman of the Auckland Centre and Mrs Chambers (secretary of the New South Wales Ladies’ Association) for a visit by the Australian lady swimmers to Auckland, and these arrangements wore carried to the point whore berths for the two swimmers and Mrs Chambers had been made available before the New Zealand Council was informed of what was proceeding. On March 8 Auckland telegraphed to mo asking that a formal invitation bo cabled to Australia as the Australian Union would not permit the girls to depart without such formality. At that time I -was not aware that the Australian Union had not been consulted by the New South Wales Ladies’ Association, and I therefore sent a cable leaving the matter of the Auckland irregularity to be discussed later. On March 13 Mr H. R. Kelly (hon. secretary of the Amateur Swimming Union of Australia) slated that his union had not been consulted. The whole procedure. Mr Kelly said, had been most ■ unsatisfactory, and in entire contravention of the existing understanding. I f ee ] confident (concluded Mr O’Neill) that the Auckland Centro had nothing fo do with these negotiations, and that they were entirely personal in character, leaving the centre as much in the dark ns fhe council and the Australian Union. In repeatedly ignoring the demand for conies of the minutes Mr Cliffo has succeeded in drawing his centre into the matter, but it is to b" booed that the centre will now take a hand in the matter and insist on the rules being complied with by its officials,’’