SWIMMING SEASON

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1934, Page 8

SWIMMING SEASON

STRATFORD CLUB’S POSITION. REVIEW OF ■ SUCCESSFUL YEAR. A successful season from every point of view is reviewed in the annual report of the Stratford Old Pupils’ Amateur Swimming Club to be presented to the annual meeting. The balance-sheet discloses a healthy financial position, there being a credit of £2B 8s 6d. .Although the club made improvements at the baths during the season and discharged a liability of £5 rent from last season, states the report, the finances have not gone back, as can be seen from the increased balance of assets over liabilities. In part this is due to the increase in fifiancial members. The club still has as assets five silver cups for annual, competition, and it will be a recommendation to the incoming committee to purchase two more challenge cups for junior boys’ and junior girls’ events.

The banner competition, in which teams selected by the captain and the secretary took part in a series of handicap events on club nights,- was again successful. Interest in the competition was well sustained and the banner was won by the captain’s team by 394 points to 282. The cups for the member of each team scoring the most points in the series were won by- Miss C. Whittlestone (captain’s team and Noel . Turnbull (secretary’s team). In additionto the club nights for the banner, a practice night was held weekly. A feature of the season in this connection was the increased public interest on club nights, and it was gratifying to the club to see the seating accommodation often well filled.

As in past seasons, the last two club nights were devoted to the club, cup contests. The attendance of the public testi,fied to the success of these events, the results of which were: Senior men (Masters Cup), T. J. Haughton; senior ladies (club cup), Miss C. Whittlestone; intermediate boys (club cup), R. Eagar and C. Cuff; junior girls (miniature cup), Miss O. Kermode; junior boys (Mr. J. Ryan’s cup), D. Turnbull. Though the polo teams did not meet with marked success, the standard of play and the enthusiasm reached a much higher level than in past seasons. The club entered two teams in the Taranaki competitions, a women’s and a men’s team. Considering that the women were playing the game for the first time they did remarkably well. Their success was due to their own enthusiasm for the game, while credit must also be given to the coach, Mr. R. Clayton, for his efforts on their behalf.

Three polo medals, two presented by Mr. J. Gardiner and one by Mr. R. Clayton, for the players showing the greatest improvement during the season were won as follows: Women, Miss p. Wickham; men, F. Wickham and R. Eagar. A medal presented by Mr. A. Rob Son for the most consistent woman swimmer was won by Miss P. Villers. Two carnivals were held during the season, both meeting with a fair measure of success. Although the first had to be postponed on account of bad weather, the response of both swimmers and public at both carnivals was good. During the season the club was well represented at carnivals in other centres and members made commendable ■ performances.

The arrangement entered into by the club committee with the school baths committee worked very satisfactorily, there being a marked improvement in the number of season tickets sold. On behalf of the baths committee the club sold 34 season tickets to club members, two to other adults and four to children. Both members and public seemed to appreciate the fact that the baths were open on four evenings of the week. The season showed a marked increase in the social activities of the club. Three carnival dances were held, each being successful. At the conclusion of the season, a dance was held at which the trophies won by members during the season were presented. For the first time since the inauguration of the club a picnic was held, the venue being Kaupokonui beach. During the season the club was unfortunate in losing the services of the secretary, Mr. R. Trueman, who resigned owing to pressure of work, and of Mr. R. Qlayton, who -was transferred to Hawera. To both the club extends thanks for their enthusiastic work. Thanks are afeo due to those who donated trophies, those who assisted at carnivals, and to Mr. R. Kilpatrick, baths custodian, and Mr. W. J. Aitken for their willing services on many occasions. KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. JANET GAYNOR AND GARAT. Janet Gaynor, the ever-popular screen star whose previous successes have always found popularity among Stratford theatregoers, will be seen’at the King’s Theatre, Stratford, to-day in “Adorable,” a charming musical romance that will win the hearts of all who see it. Henry Garat, a newcomer to the screen but by no means new to the stage, plays opposite Miss Gaynor, and from the moment his appearance is made on the screen, his popularity will be equally as great as that of his celebrated partner. Of particular note are the song numbers, which are ably sung by both Miss Gaynor and Garat, and include the theme song “Adorable,” “My First Love to Last” and “My Heart’s Desire.” A number of spectacular dance ensembles are intermingled in the story, and one in particular, that of the ice skating ballet, will charm every admirer of this art. A delightful supporting programme will also be presented.