SWIMMER ILL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20928, 6 January 1938, Page 5

SWIMMER ILL

ATTACK OF DIPHTHERIA Bv Telegraph—Press Association NEW PLYMOUTH. January 5. One of the foremost competitors in the New Zealand swimming championships, which commence at New Plymouth on Saturday, was admitted to the hospital last night suffering from diphtheria. However, the championships will be in no way affected and the health authorities are emphatic that there is no danger of infection cf other swimmers or visitors. The unfortunate competitor, C. Cliff, Christchurch, is the outstanding backstroke swimmer in New Zealand at the present time, and was regarded as a certainty, both as winner of the title and for final selection in the New Zealand swimming team for the Empire Games. In a time trial on December 1 he broke Mathieson’s 100 metres record by returning 71 4-ssec. He is 21 years of age, and had been provisionally chosen for the Empire Games’ team subject to confirmation following the championship. Swimming at a carnival in New Plymouth on Saturday he gave every indication that he was even ahead of his earlier form.

Wild rumours were flying about New Plymouth this morning regarding a diptheria epidemic, the closing of the baths and the postponement of the championships. These are all entirely incorrect and there is absolutely no health danger at all.

The medical officer of health. Dr E. W. W. Dawson, was approached by a “Taranaki Herald” reporter this morning. Dr Dawson stated it was simply an ordinary case of diptheria, and the usual precautions were taken. Not only was he definite that there was no danger of infection to visitors, but he also ridiculed any suggestion that there should be public panic. The baths were healthy, he said, and the water was being changed daily.