NORTH SWIMMING CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 17834, 6 December 1917, Page 5

NORTH SWIMMING CLUB

WAIHOPAI POOL COMPETITIONS. MINISTER OF EDUCATION SPEAKS. North’s opening took place last evening in delightfully calm and suitably warm weather. Spectators representing every part of the town congregated on the banks of Waihopai pool, and the attendance must be accounted a record one. Speeches by Mr Sheehan (President), and His Worship the Mayor (MriJohn Stead), were sufficient to introduce an important' and significant utterance by the Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister of Education), whom, Mr, Stead ppinjed out was instrumental in securing the beautiful scenic resort known as Thomson’s Bush, and incidentally of course, Waihopai Pool, to the citizens of Invercargill. The Minister referred at length to the benefite accruing from the exercise of the aquatic art, and stated that it was a quick means to vitality, vigour, and healthy -development. In his capacity as Minister of Education he bad recently made swimming compulsory in all schools where facilities existed. (Applause.) Swimming enabled one not only to help himself on occasion, but was useful in allowing the swimmer to save the lives of others. He would like to see a great following at all the swimming places and a healthy rivalry existing between Pleasure Bay, Avenal, and North. The new prison labour scheme would greatly improve Thomson’s Bush, and the Waihopai would benefit. He urged the boys and girls to swim as much as possible, and keep going all through the year if possible, for they must remember the physical side of education was an important one, and the development of the body was of paramount importance. Swimming tended to deep breathing, which resulted in a greater virility, and brought about the ideal of a sound mind in a sound body. (Applause.) The programme, which was pushed through expeditiously, exhibited some very close finishes, but the performers are so well-known that comment is superfluous. Outsiders pushed in on their starts. Springboard dive (boys under 16): *D. Godward 1, A. Sligo 2. High School girls’ race: Miss E. Vickerman (scr) 1, Miss D. Tennent (2sec) 2. Gents’ 50yds race: Ist heat—R. Harris (9sec) 1, H. N. Lewis • (6sec) 2, A. A. Tennent (lOsec) 3. 2nd heat—W. Matheson (9sec) 1, F. L. Ball (ssec) 2, C. Rice (Bsec) 3. Final—W. Harris 1, A. A. Tennent 2, W. Matheson 3. Gents’ 20-foot dive: J. Rutledge 1, G. Small 2, D. Young 3. Ladies’ race (50yds): Miss D. . Tennent and M. Forbes (psec) (dead heat), Miss E. Stout (7sec) 3. (Winners divided prizes.) Gents’ 12-foot dive: A. Sligo 1, A. E. Budd 2. Boys’ race (50yds), (under 16): G. Todd (Isec) and C. Campbell (4«ec) dpad heat, C. Woodward (3sec) 3. Swum off, Todd won. Ladies’ springboard dive; Miss Irene Preston (S.G.H.S.) 1, Miss D. Tennent (S.G.H.S.) 2. Gents’ back race (50yds): A. Tennent (lOsec) 1, J. Howden (Bsec) 2, R. G. Day (scr) 3. Chute: A. E. Budd 1, D. Godward 2. Secondary schools’ race: D. Godward 1, H. Jefcoate 2 (only competitors). Gents’ springboard dive: W. Matheson 1, D. Godward 2. Greasy pole competition: M. C. Butterfield and F. Woodward succeeded in getting to the end of the pole 4 times each, and Butterfield won on a toss. Thanks are due to Messrs F. Woodward and W. Sheehan (handicappers); J. R. Martin (starter), J. McNeilage (judge of diving). Anchor and Crammond (judges of swimming), Foster, Webb, and Miss E. Stout (call stewards). The Bth Regimental Band was in attendance.