SWIMMERS’ FUNCTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26026, 14 December 1945, Page 6

SWIMMERS’ FUNCTION

WELCOME TO SERVICEMEN Members of local clubs who have returned from service with the armed forces were the guests of the Otago Swimming Centre at a social function in the baths clubrooms last night. The President (Mr D. F. Watson) occupied the chair, and the visitors included Mr J. C. Kirkland, local officer of the Soutnland Swimming Centre. “We are very proud of the way our young swimmers responded to the call, said Mr D. Forsyth, immediate past President of the Dunedin Returned Services Association, proposing the toast of Returned Servicemen." They had played their part in the same unassuming out determined manner that they had shown In the swimming pool, he said, and it was a pleasure to see them back in swimming circles, for they would be 'he backbone of swimming in Otago and of the centre in the years to come.“Their task is not finished yet, said Mr Forsyth, “because they are going to find they will have to work just as hard as they did overseas if they are going to win the peace.” The young men would have to take over not only the affairs of the R.S.A. but of the country as well. The toast was replied to by Messrs R. Baker J. M. Calder. T. Graham, C. Lawrence, and W. Harrison. '• There is probably no major sporting organisation in the Dominion poorer -n actual cash than our parent body, said Mr Kirkland in proposing the toast of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, " and yet I know of none tha. accomplishes more work in a year ana to which men of ability give so much of their time as do the men who run the affairs of the association. —Mr W. A Jenkins, immediate past president of the New Zealand Association, who replied paid a warm tribute to the work of Mr Baxter O’Neill, of Christchurch, during his 27 years as secretary of the association. Tim following toasts were also honoured: “Southland Swimming Centre,” Mi E. C. Isaacs—Mr Kirkland; “ Country Clubs.” Mr D. C. Bannatyne—Mr L. Fagg, ” Olago Swimming Centre,” Mr R. C. Calder—Mr Watson; " Kindred Sports, Mr S. Brown—Messrs R. Fulcher, D. Reid, and Graham.

NEW BREAST-STROKE RECORD

(PA.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 13. A New Zealand record of 73see for the 100 Yards Breaststroke was established by J. Shanahan at the North Shore Amateur Club’s carnival at the tepid baths last night. Shanahan, who swam unpaced, bettered the existing record held by W. H. Dyson, of Otago, by 4-ssec.