INSTRUCTION IN SWIMMING

Southland Times, Issue 23676, 26 November 1938, Page 21

INSTRUCTION IN SWIMMING

CERTIFICATES FOR CHILDREN

RECORD NUMBER FOR NEW ZEALAND

Certificates for, swimming were issued to 32,000 school children during the 1937-38 season, a number that was more than, double the previous New Zealand record, stated a report from the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association received at yesterday’s meeting of the Southland Education Board. “This splendid result could not have been obtained without the active cooperation of the education boards, the report added, “arid we wish to take this opportunity of expressing to your board the warm thanks of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association for the help which you gave us last season. It will be apparent that if anything like this total of certificates can be maintained in the future it will mean that nearly all the children in the schools where facilities are available will be taught to swim. The good that must accrue from the viewpoint of physical development is incalculable, while an important result should be a great diminution in the annual loss of life through drowning.” The Southland centre of the New Zealand Swimming Association advised that it was decided to hold the “Learn To Swim” week from December 5 to 12 inclusive. The object was to give tuition to those who had not received it, and it was decided to concentrate on those children who could not swim 50 yards. The board was requested to circularize all country schools immediately to ascertain what number of country children were requiring tuition. The secretary reported that schools had been circularized. A deputation from the Bluff School Committee waited on the board to urge the remodelling of the school building, the sealing of the school grounds and the erection of a dental clinic. It was explained to the deputation that an application for a grant to carry out the work had been made to the department, but as yet no advice had been received. When advice was received, steps would be taken to expedite the work. The meeting was attended by Messrs S. Rice (chairman); H. Smith, W. Bell, W. Excell, F. G. Stevenson and J. Campbell.