LEARN-TO-SWIM CAMPAIGN

Southland Times, Issue 24039, 1 February 1940, Page 8

LEARN-TO-SWIM CAMPAIGN

COMMITTEE TO BE SET UP IN CITY

A learn-to-swim campaign is to be started in Invercargill and the country districts of Southland soon. A report received at last night’s meeting of the Southland Swimming Centre recommended the formation of a learn-to-swim committee, which would begin its activities as soon as possible. Mr A. E. McGrath was appointed convener of the committee and interested bodies are to be approached for their support. Those present at the meeting were: Messrs J. C. Kirkland (chairman), A. C. Stewart (secretary), L. Cockroft, G. Rask, F. Perrelle, A. C. Millar, T. McKenzie and F. Webb.

Mr Kirkland and Mr J. E. Salisbury, in a report, recommended that a learn-to-swim committee should be formed including centre officials, city council representatives, regatta representatives, and Messrs H. S. Baker and H. Smith. Other interested bodies should be approached. It was recommended that the campaign should begin with a reunion of old swimmers. From these old swimmers and from the clubs, coaches should be obtained. The committee would concentrate on adults. It was also suggested that classes should be started in resuscitation.

Mr Kirkland said also that coaches would be sent to the country clubs. The committee would, he hoped, begin its work as soon as possible.

Mr McGrath was appointed chairman of the learn-to-swim committee, and Mr F. Webb was appointed secretary. The first meeting of the committee will probably be held next week.

A letter of congratulation and appreciation was sent to the Otago Centre on the success of its junior and intermediate teams and the way it ran the carnival.

A letter of congratulation was also sent to the Nelson Centre congratulat-

ing it on the success of its team at Dunedin.

It was decided to send a team of swimmers to the Milton carnival on February 10, including B. Morgan and Misses B. Westerby, D. Clark and M. Gerrard. Miss C. Lynch was appointed to take charge of the team. It was decided to allow the ExPupils Club to hold a carnival on Tuesday, February 20. The club was granted the right to hold the second round of the Wool worth Cup competition and any Herbert Smith Trust Cup races the superintendent (Mr H. S. Baker) allocated. The Otautau Club was granted permission to hold a carnival on Saturday. February 17. The chairman said that Otautau held the country championships last year. The other affiliated country clubs would have the right to apply for the championships, but if they did not object, Otautau should again have the championship meeting. A refund of £l/1/- was received from the City Council for the last carnival, on which a loss was incurred. Appreciation was expressed of the council’s action and it was decided to write a letter of thanks. A profit was recorded on the Southland championship meeting on Tuesday. The chairman said that the profit was eminently satisfactory considering the weather that night. Messrs F. Webb, F. Perrelle and G. Westerby were appointed to act as an emergency committee to act in the absence of the chairman. The resignation of Mr A. C. Stewart as secretary of the centre was received with regret, and a minute of appreciation of his services was recorded. A new secretary has yet to be appointed. Mr W. T. Springford’s name is to be forwarded to the Dominion Centre for inclusion on the panel of polo referees.