AMERICAN DIVERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27026, 10 March 1949, Page 8

AMERICAN DIVERS

DUNEDIN VISIT DISCUSSED / OTAGO SWIMMING CENTRE Arrangements for the visit to Dunedin of the American diving champions, Dr Samuel Lee and John McCormack, were discussed at a meeting of the Otago Swimming Centre last night. Mr E. Sonntag was in the chair. Advice was received that the Americans would arrive on April 1 and leave on April 4. During their stay in the city it was hoped that they would give a special display for officials and swimmers in addition to their two public performances. Permission was granted to the University Club to arrange with Dr Lee to meet medical students and swimmers of the University. Mr E. C. Isaacs wrote suggesting that the public diving displays be held in conjunction with the Otago-Southland meeting, but members strongly disapproved as the programme for that meeting was already large. The present high-diving board at the Municipal Baths was in a bad state of disrepair, it was reported, and another board would need to be erected, especially for the American visit. There had been negotiations with the City Council to procure a new board, but it was stated that suitable timber was not available. The subject was to come before a general committee meeting of the council last night. If a new board could not be procured in time the centre would get a loan of a board from the Milton Swimming Club, which had placed both its boards at the disposal of the centre for the visit of the Americans.

The suhject of an Olympic swimming pool for Dunedin would be further discussed, it was advised, at a meeting between members of the General Committee of the City Council and the Otago Swimming Centre next Thursday, , • Memorial Sports Centre

He did not think any space in such a building would be of use to the Swimming Centre unless a pool was provided, Mr Simonsen said, when a letter was received from a meeting of sports bodies asking the centre to ascertain the space it would require in the proposed war memorial sports centre. All the centre’s activities were centred in the Municipal Baths, Mr Simonsen added. The letter was received.

Permission was granted to Miss Jean Stewart and John Jarvis to attempt the National Women’s 150 Yards Backstroke record and the Junior 75 Yards Backstroke record respectively during the Otago University Club carnival on March 25. Miss Stewart was also given permission to attempt the 400 Metres Backstroke record at the carnival for the American divers. Officials nominated by the centre to conduct the Empire Games swimming next year were:—Referee, Mr C. Atkinson: director, Mr C. Kirkland: starter, Mr A. Kingsland; diving referee, Mr W. A. Jenkins.