Swimming Club for Sydenham.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4543, 14 January 1893, Page 4

Swimming Club for Sydenham.

.— • - A meeting was held in the Sydenham Gymnasium last night to consider the advisableness of forming an Amateur Swimming Club in connection with the Sydenham Borough Council's bnth. There was a very fair attendance ; and, on the I motion of Me J. A. Caygill, Mr O. T. Booth was voted to the chair. The Chairman strongly advocated the formation of an amateur swimming club, and contended that there were advantages to be derived from the formation of such a club which could not at present be held out to subscribers to the Council's bath, on account of their not being affiliated to any club or to the New Zealand Amateur S trimming Association. At present subscribers could not compete with members of other swimming clubs, and as there were several young men in Sydenham belonging to the Christohurch Clubs on account of there being no club in the borough, he thought a club on purely amateur lines should be formed at once, to prevent others from leaving the bath as soon as they had learned to swim. He was sure the Borough Council would do all in its power to help the club. Mr J. A. Caygill Btated that he, in company with one or two others, had interviewed the Borough' Council with reference to terms. The Council had decided to allow the Club, if formed, the exclusive use of the bath fortwo hours on every Saturday in each month, when exhibitions and sports could be held. The charge would be 5a a head for the remainder of the season, and he thought the Club could make a start on those lines. He moved—" That an amateur swimming club be formed in connection with the Sydenbam baths/ Mr W. A. Howison seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Chairman said it would be as well to understand that the Council would not grant the nee of the bath at 5s a head next season, but if the subscription was fixed at 10a he thought the Club would be able to prosper. This would leave 7s 6d a head for the Borough Council and 2s 6d to carry cut the work necessary to make the Club a 'success. On the motion of Mr T. Buseell, seconded by Mr J. Betts, Mr J. A. Caygill was appointed Hon Secretary pro tern. Those present signified their intention of becoming members, and after some further discussion the meeting adjourned till Thursday next.