IN BATHS AND SURF

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1934, Page 11

IN BATHS AND SURF

LAX ENTRY METHODS REPRESENTATION OF CENTRE. YEAR'S PROSPECTS AT HAWERA.

(By

“Beltman.”)

For three or four years now “Beltman” has urged the election of an enthusiastic delegate from the Taranaki centre to the New Zealand Swimming Council at Christchurch, which has at last been done. It is well known at Christchurch, and the fact was stressed in Taranaki continuously that the province’s delegate has not been paying the attention he should to Taranaki s interests, even by attending meetings. That was not a criminal offence and was explained by the fact that his interest in swimming had waned since the death of his son and his own retirement from active interest in the Linwood club. Lack of Representation. The result has been that for some years Taranaki has been virtually unrepresented on the New Zealand council. The matter was commented on to “Beltman at Christchurch three years ago, and a motion was put before the centre's annual meeting the next year that another delegate be elected. The suggestion c. a need of change was scouted, however. The same motion was put again last year without any alternative delegate being suggested. The centre felt there might be something in it but could not obtain a suitable delegate, so decided to make no change. New Delegate Elected*

Since then, however, the centre's official delegate, Mr. J. W. Moorhead, has visited the annual conference at Christchurch, held last February and there was told what. “Beltman” heard three years ago. The result was that the annual meeting of the centre on Monday night agreed that there should be. a change in the province’s representation and seemed in fact to think that it should have been made long ago. The representative now elected, Mr. C. R. Riordan, has a reputation for energy and well-directed enthusiasm, and it is expected that Taranaki’s affairs will not be in the background any longer. Mr. Riordan expects to be in the North Island at least once a year on holiday and has expressed his intention of visiting the province to keep in touch with the swimmers he represents. Carnival Handicaps.

The same difficulty of having any change made is also very noticeable in the existing arrangements by clubs for the handicapping of the frequent carnivals. The centre has definite rules regarding entries that if adhered to would make such matters simple to control, but a position has arisen now in which clubs are crippled because of the whims of indecisive individual swimmers Lax Methods.

The rules provide for a definite closing date for entries for each carnival, which clubs fix at a reasonable time before the fixture for the formulation of handicaps. Entries from other clubs are supposed to be made by club secretaries and are expected to be accompanied by approximate times. Nearly every Taranaki club, however,’ disregards these rules, and individuals have come’ to expect that if they decide to enter at the last moment clubs will accept such entries meekly. No times, or merely guesswork figures, are sent in and the handicap system provides double the work it should. The Remedy-

There are other sports such as professional athletics where such rules have to be adhered to and competitors know that if their entries do not conform strictly with the regulations they are ignored. Stratford and Okato clubs have shown that they are displeased with the lax system and have appealed to the centre both last season and this for the enforcement of rules. . The centre, however, fails to assert its control and the tenor of all the argument on Monday night was that “we shall never get swimmers to do this sort of thing.” The centre’s present shortage of funds should be remedied by the end of the season, and the way to bring late entrants to a realisation of their responsibilities is for the centre to guarantee against loss clubs which adhere strictly to the rules regarding entries. Necessity for Action.

It has been proved time and time again that mere exhortation will get little work done. If swimmers find that late and. incomplete entries are not accepted they will soon realise that it is just as easy to arrange their trips a week ahead and send in comprehensive entries and correct times. For the first carnival or two swimmers will probably attempt to ride rough-shod over the organising clubs and the adoption of a firm attitude may mean financial loss to the clubs concerned. The centre should endorse the attempt for better organisation by giving a reasonable guarantee against that loss. Hawera Opening.

The official opening of the Hawera season will be to-night at the municipal baths, where a series of races will be run. The club has followed its usual policy of waiting for the warmer weather before starting on serious work for the season, and it is to be- applauded for its stand. With its successes in water polo and championship events last year the club has a high standard to equal this year, but although there have been losses the members are as keen as ever. Surf Club Practice.

The other branch of Hawera’s swimming activities, the Ohawe Surf Club, has a membership even keener than last year’s. For the last two months, the members have regularly practised drill one night a week, and with better conditions on the beach are doing water work as often as possible. With the new rules for Nelson Shield competition it would be no surprise to find Ohawe doing as well as any other Taranaki club in the New Zealand championship, for there are many fast and powerful swimmers in the club.

Women’s Dominion Records. The records for women’s events at May 31, 1934, have been announced by the New Zealand council as follows: —

50 yards: Miss E. Stockley, 28 2-ss. 100 yards: Miss M. Farquhar, Im 4 4-ss. 100 metres: Miss E. Stockley, Im 11 4-ss. 150 yards: Miss Farquhar, Im 47 2-ss. 200 metres: Miss M. Leydon, 2m 45 4-ss. 220 yards: Miss Farquhar, 2m 465. 440 yards: Miss M. Leydon, 5m 54 3-ss. 880 yards: Miss K. Miller, 13m 54 3-ss. 100 metres breaststroke: Miss J. W'ebster, Im 33 l-ss. 220 yards breaststroke: Miss Webster, 3m 23 3-ss. 300 metres breaststroke: Miss G. Pidgeon, 5m 40 4-ss. 400 metres breaststroke: Miss G. Pidgeon, 7m 56 l-ss. 100 yards backstroke: Miss E. Stockley, lm 16 2-ss. 100 metres backstroke: Miss Stockley. Im 24 2-ss. 200 metres backstroke: Miss Farquhar, 3m 14 4-ss.