SWIMMING

Southland Times, Issue 21832, 8 October 1932, Page 16

SWIMMING

(By

“Trudgeon.”)

When it was found that £5 would be required by the centre to carry on the educational work which appeared to be doomed by the withdrawal of the Government grant, it was not long before assistance was coming. Mr C. A. Stewart, the principal of the Southland Technical College, immediately came forward and said he would try to arrange for £1 1/- to be given from the college’s sports fund. All along Mr Stewart has been a keen supporter of this work and he has achieved splendid results in his school. If other educational institutions made a similar offer it would help matters considerably. THE EARLY DAYS SWIMMING IN A GRAVEL PIT. A DRAWN-OUT. FIGHT. Few people will realize that many years ago, long before the present generation, the late Mr James Leonard, who died recently, was known as the best all-round swimmer and diver in’ Southland. Those were the days when the Corporation Baths were situated opposite the present Railway Station. They were formed in a large disused gravel pit and were filled from the estuary by means of sluice gates 10ft. or 12ft. high, from which performers in the diving events took off. Long after his swimming days were over Mr Leonard was a well-known figure in Pasco Bros.’ shop in Dee street, where he daily distributed fish to the customers. There he was better kqpwn for his cheery demeanour and witty sayings. Mr Leonard’s diving was always a feature of displays at the old baths. It was at the first organized meeting in the old baths—what would now be called a carnival—that he won the fancy and long distance diving events. He was also a good swimmer over the shorter distances, but he was not so fast as some of the natural performers of that time. It has to be remembered

that Mr Leonard received no expert instruction, nor did any of his contemporaries. They just taught themselves. It is interesting to recall the names of some of the self-taught swimmers of those days. There was the late R, Borne, a long distance breaststroke performer, the late George Kingswell, a journalist, P. Malley, J. McCarthy ana the brothers, Williams. There were three brothers in the Williams family, T. Williams, a well-known boxer and now a leading horse trainer at Randwick, Sydney, Syd, Williams and Fred. Williams. M. Campbell, who subsequently became a well-known jockey in Otago and Southland and who was killed while riding, was another prominent performer, but he and Syd. Williams have an added claim to distinction. In those days, when the youth of Invercargill frequently resorted to fisticuffs, all disputes were settled in a sheltered spot on the far side of the baths and it is on record that Campbell and Williams once fought a drawn battle extending over three nights, the coming of darkness putting an end to hostilities on each occasion. T. Williams also gained a certain amount of fame as a pugilist. As a matter of fact lie was one of the principals in the first boxing match in Invercargill when he. defeated R. Ellis, now a prominent trainer at Riccarton, Christchurch. There are other names worthy of mention, including F. Ripper, probably the fastest short distance performer before C. Powell, C. Hunt, a noted track walking comjpetitor and R. Dall to say nothing of “Joe” Marisco. Enthusiasts were needed then as to-day and as an organizer of swimming meetings and captain of the first Invercargill Club, the late Mr Harry Kingsland was outstanding. In those far-off days all the ammunition and explosives intended for use in Invercargill and the surrounding districts were stored in two widely separated magazines on the far tide of the estuary opposite the baths. It was from the second of these that a famous race to the jetty took place, and was witnessed by a large crowd of citizens. The finish took place amid great enthusiasm, Harry Kingsland winning from Dave Walker, a Scottish champion, and a large field. His victory was considered all the more meritorious because he was giving away big starts. Among the swimmers of a later generation who perhaps were never noted in the old baths were the brothers Victor and Oscar Ekenstein. Victor subsequently became known as a crack Rugby footballer and represented Otago from Invercargill, He is now living in the Wellington province. Oscar is now better known as Commodore of the Christchurch Model Yacht Club, but in the days of his youth he was a noted handler of 14ft. and 16ft. racing craft on the estuary. Nobody bothered about teaching the youth of that period to swim and it was not until Harry Kingsland and several others formed the Invercargill Swimming Club that anything in. tins direction was done. Fashionable swimming costumes were not in vogue and all the swimmers were impressed with a great respect for the sandflies and mosquitoes which abounded in the vicinity of the swimming pool. That, however, was many years ago and such considerations do not trouble the young people of to-day.