AMATEUR SWIMMING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23704, 11 January 1939, Page 7

AMATEUR SWIMMING

MEETING OF OTAGO CENTRE MAORI CHAMPIONSHIPS ABANDONED On account of lack of support, the Otago Swimming Centre, at a meeting held last night, decided to abandon the National Maori championships which were to have been held at Dunedin next month. The meeting was presided over by Mr W. A. Jenkins, and there were also present: Messrs B. Simonsen G Laing. D. C, Bannatyne, J. Hill, A. Baker, J. Robert. J. McTaggart. S. Brown, W. S. McEwen, D. Watson. C. J. Leeden. W. H. Matthews, F. E. L. Forrester. A. Greig, G Peat, and H. Marrett. Harbour Swim T. F. Mulhern advised that he would make his attempt to swim from Port Chalmers to Dunedin at 2 n.m. on Sunday. The letter was received, and it was decided that Messrs Isaacs Watson, Thomson, Brown, McKewen, and Hill act as officials to control the attempt The secretary reported that entries had been received from J. Robert. P Young. B. Kerr. H. Callander. C. Kidd, and D. Reid for the Batt Cup harbour race, which is to be held. on Sunday morning, Maori Championships Advice was received from the West Coast, Nelson, Southland, Auckland Canterbury. Ashburton, and Manawatu Centres that no Maoris from their centres would be competing at the Maori championships Entries from 10 swimmers and divers were forwarded bv (he secretary of the Temuka Centre The secretary of the Bay of Plenty Centre advised lhat ho would not give anything definite concerning his centre’s team at the Maori championships. but he could state that there would be al least 10 competitors from the centre. A letter was received from Mr D i'. Lindsav of Dannevirke that he was unable to give anything definite concerning the Maori chamnionships but he had hones of at least four, and perhaps more, making the trip. There would be no women intermediate or iunior girls. In view of the lack o; support, it was decided to abandon the fixture. “ Leant to Swim ” Campaign Mr Simonsen reported that he had completed the preliminary organisation of the Alexandra to Pembroke district in connection with the forthcoming “ Learn to Swim" campaign The Alexandra. Cromwell and Wanaka Clubs had agreed to co-operate, and would make arrangements to have local coaches ready to receive instruction, The report was received.

A report on the organisation that had been carried out in connection with the national “ Learn to Swim ” campaign to be conducted during February was forwarded by the secretary of the National Committee of Swimming and Life-saving (Mr N A. Ingram). The report stated that the action oi the Government in helping to finance the campaign had met with general approval. and much appreciation had tien expressed of the interest displayed by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr V E. Parry) It was confidently expected that given reasonably good weather during February, the results should be entirely, satisfactory. The response to the appeal for honorary instructors had been very satisfactory, and indications were that in most cities and towns there would be sufficient to meet the local requirements, but this could be guaranteed by the enrolment of qualified instructors Ihe question of facilities available had been considered, and in every district every effort would be made to afford the fullest opportunity to all non-swimmers to take a course of instruction during the campaign. This would necessitate the use of various forms of baths or pools, and the matter oi utilising canvas baths in railway trucks had been considered Appreciation had been expressed ot the decision to send six coaches on an instructional tour, and the visit of the lady swimmers as instructors was creating interest in many districts. Messrs Jenkins, Isaacs, Kerr, Brown. Watson. Simonsen, Robert, H. D Gillies, H. H Henderson, Bannatyne, Marrett, and Kerr were appointed a district committee. , Championship Teams Having defeated Miss M Stewart in a special challenge, Miss C. Clarke was selected to represent Otago in the 75 yards intermediate girls’ breaststroke championship at the National intermediate and junior championships, in place of Miss Stewart. Miss Peat, who

did a time trial of 41 2-5 seconds for the 50 yards junior girls’ championship, was also selected. J. Hall (100 yards intermediate boys’ backstroke). V. Eckhoff (intermediate boys’ dive) and Miss M Stewart (75 yards breaststroke) will accompany the team at their own expense. It was decided that the team leave for Rotorua on Thursday, January 19. The following team was selected to represent Otago at the National Senior Championships to be held at Invercargill next month:—A. Thomas (100 Yards and 400 Metres Men’s Backstroke) W. Dyson (100 and 220 Yards Men’s Breaststroke); D Freeman (Men’s Dive), Miss W. Dunn (100 and 220 Yards Women’s Breaststroke) Miss I. Purdie (100 and 220 Yards Women's Freestyle and Backstroke). Miss C. Garvin (100 and 220 Yards Women’s Freestyle). Miss G, Rix (Women’s Dive). The water-polo team will be as follows: —M. Taylor (captain), D Pickard (vice-captain). J. D. O’Driscoll, A. Thomas. N. Williams. W. Dyson J. O. Byrnes. Water-polo “Possibles” and ‘ Probables” teams, which will play games against the representative Otago team to-morrow evening al 7 o'clock will be chosen from the following:—Currie Roy Geddes A. Williams. Buckland Butler, V. Newall, D Leckie, Wootton, Goodwin, J. Swan, Reid, W. Williams. McGregor, Broadfoot. Dolan, Fairley. J, Durand, Springford, Gibbs. A, Leeden. Kidd, and Clulee Conduct oi Carnivals A letter was received from the secretary of the Zenith Club, suggesting that the centre should consider the advisability of commencing interclub carnivals at 7 p.m. and of endeavouring to have all junior events completed by 8.30 p.m. The club had had the experience of parents com-

plaining ot the late hours at which the carnivals ended, and was of opinion that if fixtures- were commenced earlier the result would be an increase in entries and in attendances. The president said he thought that the idea was a splendid one. and it was decided to send the suggestion on to the various clubs with a favourable recommendation. General The Zenith Club was granted permission to hold its annual Harbour Race on Saturday. February 18. and to hold ' its annua) carnival on Wednesday March 1. ?V;:. The secretary of the New Zealand Council advised that, in connection with the Otago appearances of the women’s educational team now touring the Dominion, the council had decided that the Tours Committee of the Otago Centre should take charge of the local arrangements The council would merely allot a starting and o finishing date according to the number of clubs that, had applied, leaving it to the Tours Committee to arrange things to the best convenience of tyosc concerned. —Received Miss O, Armour’s application for a transfer from Kiwi Club to Alexandra was granted.