SWIMMING INSTRUCTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7237, 25 October 1901, Page 2

SWIMMING INSTRUCTION.

The question of teaching swimming in schools was raised -again at- the annual meeting of the Canterbury Centre of the Xew Zealand Amateur Swimming Association held J«.-,t evening. It was dkcuvied at twme lengili, and- after more tliail m\e speaker fovd express :-l himself in its favour, it. was decided to request the v North 'Canterbury Beard of Education Io appoint two instructors for rho district — one fcr the city and suburban schools, and die other for the country schools of the district. We need hardly say that this proposal has our heartiest approval. A'iiy movement, indeed, which has for its object- the instruction of swimming among the young people of Canterbury will always have our support, for we realise that, for many reasons, all children should learn to swim. Two of these will be obvious to most people. One is the protc-cti'on against accident which the knowledge affords,' and the other is the Iwal-th-giving exercise which f.wimnvi-ruj provides. AYe understand that efforts have been made in the past by a small band of disinterested people to encourage swimming in many of ihe primary schools of the district, but these efforts have be?n hindered by a lack of system which is the natural defect of most voluntary labour. What is wanted is ;>. system of instruct ion by paid officials. We are by r.o means satisfied that two in-;-'.rucfors are. sufficient for the whole of North OiMHei'bury, but, after all, two are better than none; n;-,d, if the Board of Education' can see its way to grant the request of th? Canterbury Centre of the Swimming Association, a, step will have been msde in (he right direction.