SWIMMERS MEET

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1934, Page 3

SWIMMERS MEET

CONTROL IN TARANAKI GOOD YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS. CREDIT BALANCE OF 2s 7d. The 1934-35 season was one of great and varied activity for swimmers under the control of the Taranaki Swimming Centre, it was stated at the annual meeting at New Plymouth last night, although the season finished with the small credit balance of 2s 7d. This was due to unfavourable weather for the championship carnivals. Those present at the meeting were Mr. W. A. Spragg (president), Miss E, M. Dowling (New Plymouth Ladies), Messrs. M. Good, A. J. Ryan (Hawera), A. J. Bennett, G. M. Kebbel (Eltham), V. J. Henderson, R. Watson (Stratford), R. Crossman, W. Ki veil (Inglewood), H. St. George (Waitara), C. Smith, W. Coleman (East End), J. W. Moorhead, L. Kerr (Fitzroy), C. Allen, H. Watkins (New Plymouth), J. Garcia (Okato), W. A. Brown (educational officer) and J. F. Devine (Waitara, secretary).

The 1933-34 season was a trying one as regarded finance, stated the annual report. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of 2s 7d, which was the smallest ever shown by the centre. Unfortunately the weather conditions marred the senior and junior centre championships and where a profit of £3O was made in former years this was considerably reduced during the 1933-34 championships. The centre had 12 affiliated clubs, Hawera, New Plymouth, Opunake, Stratford, Eltham, Inglewood, Okato, Waitara, Fitzroy, East End, New Plymouth Boys’ High School and New Plymouth Ladies. Every club reported continued progress. The relationship existing between the centre and the various clubs had been very harmonious, all working together with the object of encouraging swimmers and of improving the standard of swimming.

The Taranaki senior championships were held at Hawera. The swimming was of a high standard and the various times were being gradually reduced. After several postponements the championships vzere held, and the wet night spoiled the carnival. The junior championships were held at New Plymouth, unfortunately too late in the season. The scheme of separating the senior events, from the junior was a move in the right direction and given a fair trial would eventually prove successful. LEARN TO SWIM WEEK. As in former years learn to swim week proved to be a great success. Instructors had carried out their duties in an able manner. Headmasters and staffs of schools were assisting the centre in every possible way to make the week a success. The educational officer, Mr. W. A. Brown, discharged the duties in an efficient manner. Mr. W. Moorhead ably represented the centre at the Dominion conference and gave a thorough report of the proceedings. Although Taranaki did not secure the 1935 New . Zealand championships the application would be renewed in a strong bid for 1937, The centre sent a junior team to the Dominion championships at Palmerston North. The team comprised Miss J. Alleman (Inglewood), B. Milne (Fitzroy), L. Charters (Fitzroy) and J. Neville (New Plymouth). They performed very creditably and the experience gained should be of great value. They received valuable coaching from some of the best coaches in New Zealand. The Flannagan Cup was run in conjunction with the East End committee. The race was one of the most popular open races in New Zealand, 18 starting and 10 finishing. It was an excellent finish and was won by C. Maclean, Fitzroy. Water polo was making steady progress and Taranaki should endeavour to send a polo team to the’Dominion championships to be held at Auckland in 1935.

Donations were received from the Primary School Sports Association and Omata school. These paid the cost of printing the certificates and the centre was grateful. Much had been heard recently of the standard of swimming in Taranaki, and various schemes were expounded for improving that standard. From a utility point of view no centre in New Zealand was doing more towards the encouragement of swimming. Clubs and delegates should very carefully consider all schemes and keep the utility point of view ever to the fore. EDUCATIONAL WORK. Owing to cold and inclement weather in February and March of 1934 primary school swimming was not so successful as in former years, reported the educational officer (Mr. W. A. Brown). Considerable difficulty on this account was experienced in making arrangements for “Learn to Swim” week. The numbers of certificates issued this year were: Learners (including distances from 50 to 219 yards), 275; proficiency (220 to 440 yards), 175; merit (880 and over), 88, total, 538. These figures showed a considerable fall as compared with 1933, a total of 1077 certificates having been issued that year. Mr. F. J. Eggleton donated a cup for competition among New Plymouth primary schools for championship honours in relay races at the centre’s annual championships. This was won by Fitzroy schooi. The donation was a further proof of Mr. Eggleton’s continued interest in swimming in the schools. “Learn to Swim” week in the primary schools should come as early as possible in the new year, preferably the second week I after the schools reopened, for these reasons: (1) The water was usually at its warmest in February (that was important with young children unused, perhaps, to cold water); (2) assuming the children were taught the beginning of the art of swimming during “Learn to Swim” week early in February, they then had several weeks left to become more proficient and might even qualify for their learner’s certifiate during their first season; (3) to set instructors free to give the necessary instruction during the week it would be necessary for the swimming centre to so, arrange' its programme of club competitions and other

fixtures and to invite co-operation from other associations.

Much assistance had been obtained from Mr. Devine, who at all times had done his best to assist primary school swimming, from other headmasters in arranging “Learn to Swim” week during a trying period of weather, and from those swimming enthusiasts who willingly assisted in teaching the children. The centre did not exist for the compilation of a big credit balance, said Mr. Eggleton, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr. Eggleton pointed out the centre’s main source of revenue was the championships, and in this connection Mr. Moorhead’s idea of splitting up the championships into senior and junior meetings would prove very successful as the years went by. Although he had been at the other end of the province Mr. Spragg had been in constant touch with New Plymouth, and had been very fair. There had been no parochial feeling. OFFICERS APPOINTED. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. F. J. Eggleton (New Plymouth); vice-presidents, presidents of the clubs, and Messrs. W. H. Moyes and W. A. Spragg; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. F. Devine; executive committee, Messrs. A. J. Regan (Hawera), R. Crossman, (Inglewood), C. Allen (New Plymouth), N. Berge (East End), J. W. Moorhead (Fitzroy), E. F. Bertrand (Boys’ High School), J. Garcia (Okato), H. St. George (Waitara), A. J. Bennett (Eltham), V. J. Henderson .(Stratford), Miss J. Taylor (Girls’ High School), Miss E. Dowling (Ladies’ Life-Saving Club); starter, Mr. W. H. Moyes; water polo referees, seven were elected; honorary auditor, Mr. J. Duffin; local .officer, Mr. G. Bertrand; local sub-officers, captain of each club; chairman of executive, Mr. Eggleton; educational officer, Mr. Brown; delegate to the New Zealand council, Mr. C. R. Riordan (Christchurch); water polo selectors, Messrs. W. Kivell and S. Bennett.

Mr. R. Clayton, in resigning the position of centre handicapper, stated the system of assisting clubs in attaining a • uniform standard of handicapping had failed because of the lax methods of entries and the non-co-operation of club secretaries. He was reappointed to the position, which was narrowed to deal only with centre carnivals.

The Okato, club forwarded a remit that an official handicapper be appointed for all club carnivals. Mr. Garcia, in moving the remit, said that any such scheme would have the support of the club, '

Mr. Kivell said that if clubs would cooperate a better system could be instituted.

Messrs. Allen and Moorhead pointed out that the scheme would be too much for one man. The present habits of clubs meant that late entries and the distances between centres would bar the system.

The remit was lost, the centre handicapper being instructed to co-operate with the Okato club in arranging its handicaps. The selection of Taranaki championship carnival dates was left to the executive to arrange early in February. The senior events will be held at New Plymouth and the intermediate and junior at Hawera.

Mr. Brown suggested that a provincial movement be made in country schools as well as town schools to add impetus to “Learn to Swim” week. Mr. Eggletoh said the matter. would be given every assistance.

Miss Dowling raised the problem 'of the complete filling of the New Plymouth baths in connection with adult learners. The borough council’s assistance was appreciated but the large baths was rather difficult for uncertain swimmers. There was also the difficulty of complete supervision at both pools. Mr. Moorhead said the baths would not be completely filled.