BATHS’ CUSTODIAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27387, 12 May 1950, Page 8

BATHS’ CUSTODIAN

Retirement Of Mr A. P. A. Mathieson NOTABLE SWIMMING RECORD Mr A. P. A. Mathieson has resigned from the position of custodian of the Dunedin Municipal Baths, which he has occupied since 1927. Associated with swimming and life saving for a period of 50 years, Mr Mathieson learned to swim at 12 years of age at the Addington School baths. At 13 he was nominated to swim in the Christchurch schoolboys’ championship, but he confesses that he did not start, as he was unable to locate the baths where the races were held. Entering regular inter-club racing. Mr Mathieson took up the coaching of club members, and was keenly interested in water polo. He was a member of the Canterbury team which played in Wellington in 1908 for the polo banner, being defeated by the Swifts Club, which included such well-known figures as Sir Bernard Freyberg, F. Roberts (All Black Rugby plaver), and Pat Hannah. At this gala in the old Thorndon Baths Mr Mathieson won the Open Dive against the Wellington champion. In 1909 he competed in the Hawke’s Bay championships, dead-heating in the 100 Yards Breaststroke. At this time carnivals were held in the “ Iron Pot ” at Port Ahuriri, now almost dry. With the Canterbury team at the New Zealand championships at Auckland in 1910, Mr Mathieson was a member of the winning one-mile relay team and water polo team. Prominent swimmers at this time were Bert Rich, Percy Mason, Vic Drake. Charles Bryant, Hen Sherwood (diver), Harry Williams, the Bauchop brothers. Wally Cookson. Fred Truscott, Angus Russell, the Dodge brothers, and H. V. Jerred. who had just come into the picture. In 1911 Mr Mathieson went to Wellington as a member oL the winning Canterbury water polo team and swam against Otago's Archie McMillan in the Mile. At this meeting Cyril Brice was given a doubtful verdict against Malcolm Champion in the 100 Yards. In 1910 he took up life saving under the late Mr G. E. Billson, and gained the bronze medallion during the visit of the late William Henry, founder of the Royal Life-saving Society. Mr Mathieson took a continuous active interest in life saving on the Canterbury Head Centre Executive, travelled with demonstration teams into country districts, and gained his honorary instructor’s certificate in 1911, the award of merit in 1911, and the diploma, highest award of the Royal Lifesaving Society, in 1913. In 1914 Mr Mathieson went to New Plymouth to take charge of the salt water" baths there. He took a leading part in the formation of the New Plymouth Ladies’ Life-saving Club, and formed the Taranaki branch of the Royal Life-saving Society. He inaugurated the open-water swim from the Breakwater to East End, which is now known as the Flannagan Cup Race.

In Auckland during J 924 to 1926 he worked with the Auckland branch of the Royal Life-saving Society, and, taking up his appointment at the Dunedin Municipal Baths in March. 1927, he became secretary of the Otago branch of the Royal Life-saving Society, and held office until relieved by his daughter, Maxine. He* was appointed secretary again in 1939, and was elected president in 1947, a position he still holds. He was awarded the honorary associate badge of the Royal Life-saving Society, in 1939 the distinguished service medal, and in 1948 a bronze star to the distinguished service medal. He has been chief honorary examiner of the Dunedin branch for many years. Mr Mathieson did much to encourage distance swimming in Otago by advocating harbour races, which led to the holding of club mile swims and the two-mile Batt Cup Race. He has advised and coached many of the Dominion’s bestknown swimmers, among them his daughter, Maxine, a New Zealand champion at breaststroke and freestyle and winner of the Annette Kellerman Cup Race, and his son, Peter, winner of many national backstroke titles, who represented New Zealand at this year’s Empire Games. He proposes to spend his retirement in Auckland, where he is taking up the growing of citrus fruits.