“LEARN TO SWIM WEEK”

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1930, Page 3

“LEARN TO SWIM WEEK”

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL MR. ANDERSON TO BE APPROACHED' SWIMMING CENTRE DISCUSSION. Preliminary details of the “learn to swim week” were discussed at a meeting of the Taranaki Swimming Centre in Neu’ Plymouth last night. The choice of a notable swimmer to conduct the campaign was the first consideration, and it was decided to approach Mr. Anderson, Auckland, -with the proposal that he should visit Taranaki in the second week in February and carry on instruc- / tion for a fortnight, hr the event c< Mr. Anderson being unable to accept it was agreed that the aid of Mr. J. Enwright, Auckland, . should be .sought. There were present at the meeting:— Messrs. W. H. Moyes (chairman), P. J. Flannagan, J. Shimmin, J. Devine, P. Lawn, H, J. Thomas, H. J. Duffin, N. Berge, M. Clarke, Misses M. Julian and. B. Gayton. The main business was to deal with the proposed “learn to swim week,” stated the chairman. At a meeting of the New Plymouth Headmasters’ Association, a number of resolutions liad been passed and it had been suggested that the second week in February, after the schools had reopened, would be a suitable date. The were anxious to arrange a visit by Mr. Anderson. He had no doubt that the finance to cover the cost of the visit could be raised. There was going to be a very large number of children to instruct. However, it might be possible for Mr. Anderson to give demonstrations to teachers, who could ’then carry on. SWIMMING IN SCHOOLS. The idea was that Mr. Anderson should instruct the young teachers at the centres; they would then be able to carry on for the duration of the week, said Mr. Shimmin. The project would encourage sw’imming in the schools to a great extent. . , Mr. Lawn asked whether it was intended to hold the swimming week at the same time throughout Taranaki, or. whether each town was to have its - week at a different date. . ' The northern headmasters had felt that they could not commit the southern masters at the meeting held recentIy ; replied the chairman, but the campaign need not be confined to one week. It might be possible to obtain Mr. Anderson’s services for a fortnight. He could then start in New Plymouth, proceeding to Stratford and Hawera. There , would be about 600 children, all within a short distance of the Hawera baths, pointed out Mr. Lawn, ana if Mr. Anderson visited the town it would not be possible for him to give individual instruction to each child. In Hawera there were enthusiasts who would be willing to help the movement.. He had gone into the matter and proposed that the town schools should be I instructed during the mornings and the country children could come in during the afternoons. In addition there might be classes for the instructors. The chairman was confident that in the matter of finance the aid of the public could be obtained. It might be possible to stage a carnival to help cover the expenses, remarked Mr. Clarke. Mr. Anderson was sure tq prove an attraction. Mr. Flannagan’s motion that Mr. Anderson be approached with a view, to coinin' 1 - to Taranaki for a fortnight from the second week in February was carried. ■ , . . „ In the event of Mr. Anderson being unable to accept Mr. Duffin proposed that Mr. J. Enwright should be asked to carry on the work. ' Prior to the week, said the. chairman, it would be ncoessary for the instructors t.o receive tuition in swimming land drill. He had drafted a letter ,to be circulated among the schools, asking for the number of non-swimmers and tor the teachers available to take instructional classes.