SWIMMING.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 15 December 1925, Page 7

SWIMMING.

SOUTH CANTERBURY CENTRE. ANNUAL MEETING. Tlie annual meeting of the South Canterbury Centre ol tne New Zealand Ami'fteiir Swimming Association was held m the Oxford miiktings last evening. Present—Mr H. H. Fraser (president), Messrs M. Raymond, r. JDunn, P. whisker, G. P. Lawson, C. Coxnead, E. G. Ciifk'ii, and the hon. secretary (-Mr NY. Car.ton). The annual report stated mat during the season 192-1-25 tlie work of the Centre was seriously handicapped through the epidemic. Certificates issued to those schools who were foitunate enough to get some of then' swimming done early in the season were: Eairlic District High 2, liinaru Main 20, and Timaru West 9, making a total of 31. Owing to the epidemic, the schools championship sports had to be abandoned. 1 *id Boys G'lub were to the fore during the year'with their carnival, and had a most successful event. The same club also put on a number of weekly races. The Swiits C.ub held weekly races, but alter everyuimg b-'u been prepared a carnival had to he abandoned. The Y.M.C.A. Club, although not attempting a carnival, had a most successful year with their weekly races. It was regrettable that the St. Patrick’s Club no longer existed, and it was hoped that something would be done in the near future to put the club on its feet again. Nothing had been heard of the activities of country clubs, but it was hoped that the coming season would bring them into line. Mr E. Spccchty had again offered a donation of £5 for the Speedily Mile, but owing to the epidemic this, like other events, was postponed. The Centre was still in a very sound financial position, although various expenses had reduced the credit balance slightly to £337 9s 3d. The New Zealand championships were held in Christchurch, and the Centre was well represented by D. P. Lindsay. The junior class was canceled on account of the younger swimmers not being allowed to travel. Messrs F. J. Dunn and W. Carlton were the delegates to the conference. The thanks of the Centro’ were due to Mr H. H Fraser for the use of his office for meetings, to Mr L. E. Eaton, lion, auditor, to' Mr F. G. Dunn, the Centre’s 'energetic representative on the New Zealand Council, and to all delegates who attended the meetings. _ It was hoped that during the coming season they would not- be handicapped as last reason, and that the delegates and clubs would stick together, thus making swimming in South Canterbury even more prosperous than it has been in previous years.

Tlie chairman said that unfortunately for the sport all over New Zealand, the epidemic which swept over the country curtailed swimming everywhere. Tt seriously affected all swimming in South Canterbury, and practically no competitions were held. Fortunately Okl Boys wore able to lio’d their carnival, and this event proved that swimming was indeed Verv popular in South Canterbury. The schools’ sports competitions 1 Vo posttinned, hut it was honed that, if the boys and girls were looked after this year some of the outstanding performers miVlit be sent to the swimming carnival. South Canterbury was well represented in the New Zenla-’d championships by D. Lindsav, who bad been a credit to the’ district. H° underr Stood that Linds'”" would not lie cn-im-tning this year. Messrs Dunn and Carlton had ably represented South Canterbury at the New Zealand conference, and good business was done there. With regard to the remit sent .forward bv Sooth Canterbury re the alteration of the championship dates, lie was pleased to say flint Hawke’s Bay. to whom the championships had been allotted this year, had taken notice of the suggestion. By a’tering the dates, this would allow school children to attend the carnival without interfering with their schooling. He understood that the Speedily Mile would again be hold this year.' The Waimate Club had taken up a rather peculiar attitude, and he thought for the benefit of their swimmers they should link up with the Centre. He extended thanks to the executive for the good work dono during the, year. Mr F. ,T. Dunn said that as fay ,as was possible. thc< Centre had dono their best during the year, although the epidemic had struck them so severely. He made complimentary references to the work at the New Zealand Council, and said that the way in which the delegates worked unanimously made it a very successful meeting indeed.

The report '/as adopted. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr IT. IT. Fraser: lion, secretary and treasurer, Mr AY. Carlton : emergency committee, Messrs Lawson, Dunn, and Fraser: delegate to New Zealand Centre. Mr F.. G. Dunn; hon. auditor, .Mr L. -E. Eaton. GENERAL. Mr Whisker said that the Ladies’ Swimming Club was progressing very favourably and everything promised well for a very successful season. ‘ _ Mr Coxlvead brought up the question of the raft on the Bay being too far out, and said that a swimmer had asked him to place the matter before tlie Centre.

It was the general opinion that for young swimmers the raft at present was too far out, but if there were going to be any more rafts placed in between, the position would appear more satisfactory. It was decided to hold the matter over, pending further information. Mr Coxhead said that as ho did last year, he was going to move that the Council be written to with a view to having the bathing sheds open on Caroline' Bay on Sunday afternoons for the months of December and January.

Air Lawson said he understood that the ear. laker had no objection to tins slen.

'dim chairman said that the shed on the Marino Parade on a fine Sunday afternoon was thickly populated, and by not having the bathing sheds open the Council were losing revenue. The motion was carried unanimously. It was decided that the copies of the journals promoted by the New Zealand Council, recently purchased by the South Canterbury Centre, giving some very comprchensivo information with regard to swimming generally, he sent to the principal South Canterbury schools, and the secretary of the Schools’ Sports Association, with a view to encouraging swimming in the d "strict-

Air Coxliead, when asked bv the president why the Waimato Club remained unalfiliated, said that he had explained the advantages of the Centre to the Waimate Club, but had been informed that the club could sec no reason why tb“v should affiliate.

Air Dunn said that it seemed to him as if the AVaimate Club did not want the opportunity, to travel to other parts and unearth their good swimmers, which would without doubt be to their benefit.

Mr Coxliead was again asked to visit AA'ainnite and impress linon tho c'ub there the advisablcness of joining the Centre. Tt. was decided that Messrs P. Whisker and AI. "Raymond he asked to submit to the next meeting anv probable young candidates they thought worthy of ronrosenting South Canterburv at the New Zealand c-arniva). JSulorristic • reference was made of tho work of the secreterv (Alr A\ : . Carlton), and it was decided to grant him an honorarium of £5 ss. Accounts amounting to £G 11s were r-ssed for payment.