SWIMMING AT OKATO

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1929, Page 12

SWIMMING AT OKATO

SUCCESSFUL YEAR RECORDED. MEMBERS’ ANNUAL MEETING. Thanks to the enthusiasm of its members and the interest displayed by residents of the district generally, the Okato Swimming Club has become strongly established, despite the fact that it has been less than a year in existence. That was made evident by •the keen interest taken in the annual meeting last night, when Mr. R. Tisdall, chairman of rue committee, presided over* a representative attendance of* members. The report stated that the first year, or rather ten months, of the clubs existence had been very successful. There was a credit of £b 9s in hand. Considerable improvements had been made to the baths, comprising the erection of dressing sheds and diving boards, the completion of the floor, and general cleanin.r of the grounds. The committee’s tnauks were.due to all who had contributed either financially or by donations of materials or by labour. There were 115 financial members of the club, which showed the popularity of the baths, and it was to be hoped that this season that number would be exceeded. It was regrettable to see the damage done to the dressing sheds by diving from the roof, and to the spring board by improper use, and it was to be hoped tuat both these practices would be discontinued. Thanks were also due to Mr. E. H. R. Pearson and his pupils for the concert they had held, in aid of the club’s funds, a profit of £4 4s fid having been made. The thanks of the committee were extended to Messrs. S. Ellis, J. Honeyfield, A. Young, H. Roberts, John Goodwin, F. Jenkins, J. Power and M. Honeyfield. S. Ellis had taken part in every carnival in New Plymouth and had gained two firsts and three-seconds; John Goodwin had gained one first, and H. Roberts and J. Honeyfield second. places.

' The balance-sheet showed that receipts had amounted to £76 4s fid, the principal items being members’ subscriptions £l4 2s 6d, donations £lO 19s, entertainments £lB, opening day £5 12s 3d, carnival proceeds £l9 7 s 3d. Expenditure totalled £69 15s 3d, the principal items being shed £lO 15b, gravel and cement £l9 10s lid, and badges £8 Bs. There' wiis a credit of £6 9s and badges unsold were worth £5 16s.

The chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and the motion was seconded by Mr. H. Roberts and carried without discussion. Officers were elected as follows: ’ Patron, Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P.; president, president of Domain Board; vicepresidents, Messrs. E. Gibson, J. O’Sullivan, P. Corbett (re-elected), and F. L. Gill; committee, Messrs. R. C. Larson, L. Wooldridge, J. Power, H. Roberts, S. Ellis, J. Hansen, E. Corbett, P. Corbett and C. G. Cocksedge. - It was resolved to substitute green with a black band for the club’s colours in place of the black with a green band previously decided on. Enthusiastic reference was made to the assistance rendered by Mr. E. Gibson in connection with the construction of the baths. He had, it was stated, attended every working bee and had been practically foreman of the work all the time. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

Mr. R. C. Larsen suggested that opportunity should be taken of the presence in the district of Miss Julian to establish a life-saving branch of the club.

' Members'considered the idea a splendid one and it was resolved to refer it to the incoming committee for favourable consideration. Mr. R. Tisdall, who did not seek reelection to „the committee, expressed thanks to the members for the way they had worked. He expressed regret at the way the township, people “had let the chib down.” They were willing to swim but would not assist with the working bees. It was unfair that all the work should have been left to the busy farmers, and lie expressed the hope that the coming year would see an improvement in that respect. Reference was made to the work of the retiring secretary, Canon Gillespie, in the inteersts of the club, mention being made of the fact that he had journeyed from New Plymouth to attend the present meeting. He was accorded an enthusiastic vote of thanks.

Canon Gillespie, in reply, paid a tribute to the work of the assistant secretary, Mr. C. G. Cocksedge. Votes of thanks were also accorded retiring officers, special mention being 'made of the work of the chairman, Mr. R. Tisdall.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. J. L. Power was elected chairman and Mr. C. G. Cocksedge hon. secretary. Other officials were appointed as follows: Delegate to the centre, Mr. J. Garcia; auditor, Mr. E. Corbett; time-keeper, Mr. J. L. Power; club captain, Mr. S.- Ellis; vice-captain, Mr. H. V. Roberts; judges, Messrs. E. Gibson and L. D. Hickford; starter, Mr. P. Corbett; marksman, Mr. L. Wooldridge; call steward, Mr. E. B. Corbett. It was resolved that the subscription be 2s Gd, the same as last year, and Saturday be the club night. It was decided to ask Miss Julian to accept appointment as instructress in life-saving to the club.