SWIMMING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19944, 31 October 1934, Page 11

SWIMMING

SOUTH CANTERBURY CENTRE ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the South Canterbury Swimming Centre was held last night. Present: Mr H. H. Fraser (president), Mrs H. Mayo (Ladies’ Club), C. H. Coxhead, B. Richards (Waimate), T. Shivas, H. Clark (Star), W. Sutherland (St. Patrick’s), T. Elder A. Ball (West End), S. Lyttle (Geraldine), V. McKeague (Old Boys), J. C. Hayhurst, D. Reid (Temuka), T. Morrison, P. Carter (Y.M.C.A.) and A. Rippen (secretary). Annual Report. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet (previously published) the president congratulated the Centre on the position it was in at the present time. They did not have the funds in hand at the moment that they had at the beginning of the season, but he did not think the money had been spent foolishly, as it had all been expended in the interests of swimming. Fortunately for the Centre and clubs they did not have to consider expense altogether, but the time would come when they would have to consider their position, and make an effort to live within their means. The Speedily Mile had cost them a fair amount of money, but there again he thought it had been well spent. The clubs had had an active season, and he heartily congratulated them. Timaru was well provided with baths; in fact they were the equal of any in the Dominion, and in the very near future the new North End baths would be available. These would require very little upkeep, as practically everything had been built of concrete, and the whole place could be washed down and made clean as soon as the swimmers were finished in the evening. They now had baths in the North, South and West End, and their aim should be to see that every boy and girl in the primary schools learned to swim. If they did that, they should be able to turn out some very fine swimmers. The president went on to congratulate the Temuka, Geraldine and Waimate clubs on the manner in which they conducted their carnivals during the season, and they had done a good deal to foster the sport in the district. At the Dominion championships at Palmerston North, the Centre had been represented by Miss Latimer and H. Pateman, and both had proved worthy representatives. Pateman winning the 100 yards junior championship. He trusted that both would take care of themselves, and go on to further success. At Christchurch Messrs V. McKeague and K. Moffatt had represented the Centre in the diving championships. They had not been successful in winning, but had brought back a fund of knowledge, which should prove invaluable.

Mr Fraser went on to refer to decisions arrived at at the annual conference of delegates, which is held at the same time as the championships. These decisions were not acted on until the annual meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, and only then if the Association agreed to them. To his mind this was wrong, and any decision made by delegates should become operative immediately. The New Zealand Association would meet shortly, and he hoped some alteration would be made. At the last annual conference, Mr T. Elder had acted as a co-delegate, and it had been largely due to his efforts that Timaru had been allocated the junior and intermediate championships this year. The president at tins stage made a suggestion that it might be possible to divide the town up into centres. If they did this, they would get some fine relay teams, and t!iis would serve to create a great deal of interest. The time might not be opportune for such a move, but It was a suggestion that clubs could consider. Praise was extended by the president to the handicapper (Mr A. Provan), Mr Fraser stating that he had done splendid work, and if he continued to show the same interest in the coming season, then he was suve swimming would go ahead. The secretary (Mr A. Rippen) had also proved a most efficient officer, and had made the speaker’s task a good deal easier than it would have been, Mr Fraser also referred to the performance of Miss A. Keen in the Annette Kellerman Cup contest, stating that she had by no means disgraced the district. Miss Keen had suffered a touch of cramp early in the race, but had continued on gamely, completing the course. . , .. Mr C. H. Coxhead seconded the motion, and said that he hoped the t’me would not be far distant when they would have tepid baths in Timaru. The season here was a very limited one, and if they had tepid baths, they would be able to raise the standard, and also attract visitors. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Election of Officers.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr H. H. Fraser; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr A. Rippen; hon. auditor, Mr L. E. Eaton; delegate to New Zealand Council, Mr F. G. Dunne; handicapper, Mr A. Provan; committee, Mrs Mayo. Messrs J. C. Hayhurst, T. Shivas, V. McKeague, T. Elder, S. Lyttle, W. Sutherland, A. Ball. An application was received from the YM.C.A. Club for affiliation, and after discussion it was unanimously decided to grant the application. Uniform Entry Fees. A remit from the Temuka Club suggesting uniformity of entry fees at all carnival events was discussed, and it was decided to send the remit on to clubs for consideration. In the course of discussion, it was stated that last year the handicapper was put to a good deal of inconvenience on account of swimmers entering for races and not starting, and thus not paying their entry fee. The president said that it was decided at the last annual meeting that having entered, a competitor must pay, and that all entries must come through the club secretaries. The secretary said that the trouble was that the rule had not been enforced. A suggestion was made that the fees should be based on a sliding scale in accordance with the prize money, and this suggestion is also to be conveyed to clubs. On behalf of the Waimate Club, Mr B. Richards made application for the South Canterbury 100 yards championship. Long Service Appreciated. After 20 years’ association with the Centre, Mr C. H. Coxhead tendered his resignation, stating that he felt that it was only right that the younger members should be given the opportunity of giving service. He would, however, be willing to give any assistance should it be required. The president said that he was sorry that Mr Coxhead had decided to retire, but he was glad to know that they would not lose his- help altogether. Mr Coxhead had been secretary for some years, and as he had said earlier, the Centre had been most fortunate in its secretaries. He thought the Centre should place on record Its appreciation of Mr Coxhead’s services over a long period of years. A motion to this effect was carried unanimously. An honorarium of £6/6/- was granted

the secretary for his service during the year. A sub-committee consisting of the president, secretary and Mr Hayhurst was set up to redraft the rules of the A vote of thanks was passed to Mr A. K. Provan for the good work he did as handicapper during last season, and a vote of thanks was also passed to the president.