AMATEUR SWIMMING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22816, 27 February 1936, Page 13

AMATEUR SWIMMING

OTAGO CENTRE MEETING A meeting of the Otago Swimming' Centre was held last evening, and was attended by the president (Mr W. A. Jenkins), Messrs J. L. M'lndoe, B. Kerr, J. M'Taggart, E. H. James, W. Williams, W. Matthews, F. Beauchamp, S. Brown, E. Sonntag, D. Thomson, A. Greig, D. T. Woodfield, F. E. Forrester and E. C. Isaacs (secretary). Reviewing the New Zealand championship meeting, the chairman said that the winning of the Yaldhurst Shield for the first time was a happy occasion for the Otago Centre. First of all, he wished to tender the thanks of the centre to the Ladies' Committee and its convener (Mrs M'Taggart) who had given invaluable assistance in making the social side ' of the meeting so successful. Nothing that could have been done with regard to the seating accommodation, and the many details attendant on it, had been left undone by the Property Committee, and its convener (Mr J. M'Taggart), and Mr G. Peat, his right-hand man, had given service that could hardly be rated highly enough. To Mr C. M'Queen, who had given up his time and had gone to an immense amount of trouble in looking after the Otago team and getting the swimmers fit for their races, thanks were also due. While every member of the centre had worked loyally and well towards the satisfactory conduct of the carnival, special mention should be made of Mr D. T. Woodfield, who had placed himself unreservedly at the disposal of the visitors during their stay in Dunedin, and done everything in hi 3

power to entertain them. To the secretary (Mr Isaacs) and the treasurer (Mr Kerr) was due in large measure the efficient organisation of the meeting, and visiting officials were unanimous in declaring that they had never seen a carnival so well conducted. Comment had been passed fay many of the visitors on the timekeepers, and their remarks were a tribute to the accuracy with which Messrs A. Greig, T. P. Williamson and F. J. Townsend had carried out their duties. The centre was also under a debt of gratitude to the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) and the City Council for their invaluable assistance, and to the managers of the picture theatres who had treated visiting competitors and officials with such courtesy. The manager of'the Otago.team (Mr Woodfield) wrote expressing pleasure at its success, and paid a tribute to the assistance given him by Mr A. Thomas. He had been specially interested in the water-polo and that this championship bad been won by Otago for the first time since the inception of the competition was, to him, a source of keen satisfaction. Mr D. M. Stuart wrote congratulating the centre on the performance of the Otago team in winning the Yaldhurst Shield at the recent New Zealand championships. It was gratifying to see the advancement of swimming in Otago, and a great deal of the credit for this was due to the enthusiasm in which the administrators associated with the sport had carried out their duties. —Received. It was decided to place on the books a minute recording appreciation of the Otago team's success in winning the Yaldhurst Shield. It was also agreed to procure official photographs of the senior and intermediate and junior rep-

resentative teams with the Yaldhurst and War Memorial Shields. The chairman reported that an anonymous donor had presented a silver cup. to be presented'to the winner of the 100 Yards Breaststroke Scratch Race which was decided on the final night of the championship carnival. The trophy, in this case, would go to R. Geddes. An application by the Lawrence Club for permission to hold a carnival on March 14 was granted. Permission was also granted the Cromwell Club to hold a carnival on March 7. The Kiwi Club was granted permission to arrange for a demonstration carnival at Middlemarch on a date in March to be fixed later. The following officials were appointed to act at.a carnival to be held on March 10 by the Girl Guides' Association: — Starter, Mr Jenkins; judges—Messrs Woodfield, Brown, and James; timekeeper, Mr Greig. A letter was received from the secretary of the Roxburgh Club (Mr E. F. Jeffery), who thanked the centre, and especially its delegate (Mr F. E. L. Forrester), for arranging for a party of Dunedin swimmers to compete at a carnival at Roxburgh, and thus assisting to make the fixture a success. The part taken by the Dunedin swimmers had given a definite stimulus to swimming in the district. The " Learn to Swim " week which was conducted by Mr D. C. Bannatyne had been an unqualified success, and upwards of 80 members had joined the club.—Received; The secretary of the Ravensbouriie Regatta Club, forwarded the programme for its meeting on March 7, the schedule of events being as follows:—100 Yards Handicap, 50 Yards Junior Handicap, 200 Yards Challenge'Cup Relay Race,

50 Yards Ladies' Handicap, 50 Yards Men's Handicap, Open Dive, 50 Yards Local Boys and Girls' Handicap.—The programme was approved.