SWIMMING IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1932, Page 11

SWIMMING IN TARANAKI

POPULARITY RISING RAPIDLY.

BEST SEASON YET EXPERIENCED. An all-round increase in the popularity of swimming in Taranaki and the most successful championship meeting yet held is reported by the Taranaki centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. Season 1031-32 has been the most successful in the history of the centre, states the report. The balance-sheet shows a credit balance of £27 7s. 7d., which is very satisfactory. The centre has 12 affiliated clubs—New Plymouth, East - End, ■ Fitzroy, New Plymouth Ladies’ Life-Saving Club, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Waitara, Inglewood, Hawera, Opunake, Okato, Eltham and Stratford clubs. All clubs report continued progress, and in many cases an increase in membership. The relationship existing between the centre and. the various clubs has been very harmonious, all working together with the one object of encouraging and improving the standard of swimming. The Taranaki championships were held at Hawera and were a great success—easily the best conducted championships held since the inception of the centre. The organisation was complete in every detail, a tribute -to the Hawera club and the centre secretary, Miss B. Gayton. The Hawera club gained the most championship points.. As in the past the centre allocated various championship events to the individual clubs; this has proved a very successful method and will be continued. Learn-to-swim week again proved a great success. The clubs _ throughout Taranaki organised the various schools and hundreds of .children were taught to swim by the capable and efficient instructors supplied. The efficient manner in which the instructors carried out their work must have repaid the employers. Owing to the decision of the Government to stop the usual grant, the New Zealand Swimming Association was not able to issue the usual certificates. It was therefore left for each centre to provide its own certificates. It has been necessary to wait for the block used for printing these and there has been unavoidable delay. The certificates

are now completed and will be distributed as soon as possible. The Flannagan Cup was handed over to the centre by the New Plymouth club and is now controlled by the . committee appointed by the centre, with Mr. J. Devine as secretary. ’, The course was altered from the bathe—East End to Kawaroa —East End. The race was.held on' Saturday, February 27, and was won by S. Millar, New Plymouth.Boys’.High School, who also gained fastest tim®, Miss C. Weston being second. The rac» is ■ becoming more popular every year and last year drew record entries from all Taranaki. Great credit is due to Mr. J. Devine for the thorough manner in which everything was organised. It is felt that every endeavour should. b» made to hold this event earlier in the season. The borough council has recently altered the length of the municipal baths and seating . accommodation is to be provided for 700 to 800. The council is to be congratulated on its endeavour to popularise the baths; patrons and clubs appreciate the council’s efforts and the centre will do its best to assist. As the baths are now the correct length for championship events the centre will apply for the 1935 championships to be held at New Plymouth. This will give the Taranaki public a chance of seeing the best swimmers of the Dominion in action.

Water .polo is making steady progress and the knowledge gained in the ; New Zealand championships has done much to improve the staridardqof. play in Taranaki. A sub-committee was appointed to revise the rules and by-laws of the Taranaki Centre. The recommendations will be placed before the annual meeting for’ consideration prior to confirmation. J » It is desired to place on record appreciation of the excellent .work done bv Miss B. Gayton, the centre secretary. ’ ■ . The balance-sheet shows receipts amounting to £9O 19s. Bd., which include credit balance £lB 13s„ affiliation and capitation fees £3l 14s. .6d. and championship takings £3B 13s. was £63 12s. Id., items being Taranaki championships £24 19s. 10d., New Zealand Association £l7 155., secretary's honorarium £5 55., and sundry expenses £5 Ils. 6d. The credit balance is £27 7s. 7d., the profit on the season . £8 14s. 7d., and the profit on the championships £27 ss. 10d., which was divided, £l3 12s. Bd. going to the Hawera club and the same amount to the centre. The annual meeting of delegates will be held next Wednesday.