SWIMMING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10631, 29 November 1912, Page 4

SWIMMING.

CANTERBURY CENTRE.

Tho Canterbury Centre of the New. Zealand Amateur Swimming Association met last evening, Mr F. D. Stokes presiding over a good attendance of delegates. The New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association wrote giving its approval for ft professional swimmer to act as a handicapper to any club, also stating that the South Canterbury Centre would be again written to regarding the trophies won by Christchurch swimmers on Boxing Day, 1910. The town clerk wrote granting tlio Centre permission to use the municipal baths for a carnival in connection with tho visit of Australian swimmers on the evenings of December 16 and 19, on condition that the Centre paid to the Council 25 per cent of the gross takings.

It was stated that the visit of three Australian swimmers and the holding of a carnival had been arranged for in conjunction with the Wellington Centre. On previous occasions of the kind the rental of the baths had been £2.

The secretary reported that he had interviewed the chairman of the Bath Committee (Councillor Taylor), the Mayor and the town clerk on the matter, and had stated that the Centre was arranging for this visit for educational purposes and not with a view of making any profit. He had also informed these gentlemen that the bringing over of the Australian swimmers involved an expenditure of about £3O to each Centre in the undertaking. This, coupled with the expenses of running the carnival, would necessitate an average gate of £25 to clear expenses on a £2 basis for rent.

The Council officers had replied that they intended to charge all swimming clubs a rental of 25 per cent on gross takings, the same rate as was charged for hire of the Council's parks, and had suggested that the Centre should furnish the Council with an estimated account of expenses, and, in the event of making a loss, that the Centre should apply for a refund. Several speakers adversely criticised the Council's action, as no notice had been given to tho Centre or any club of the Council's intention to raise the rental. Club secretaries who were present stated that their carnivals had been conducted at a loss even on ■ the £2 rental basis, and this raising of rental would mean that the clubs would have to_ consider the advisability "of abandoning their carnivals at the baths. It was stated that the New Zealand championship meeting which was held in February last resulted in a profit of £7O, but included in this was £55 profit from the- sale of programmes and advertising on same, which if deducted would leave a profit of £ls (on a rental of £2) for a four days' carnival, but under the new conditions the carnivals would have resulted in a loss of something like £ls as far as the revenue for admission was concerned.

After considerable discussion, it was resolved that the executive should arrange for a deputation to wait on the Council at its next meeting. The programme and list of officials for the Ivaiapoi Club's carnival was approved. The Waltham Club wrote stating that, <Jwing to the date allotted to the club not being suitable, it would hold no carnival this season.

It was resolved that the duties of costume steward should be included in the duties of the local officer, Mr E. Eldridge., 'Mr J. R. Buchanan, delegate of the Christehurch Club, wrote resigning his position on the Centre owing to his accepting a position as delegate for the* Wellington Centre on the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. It was resolved to place on record the Centre's appreciation of the services rendered to the Centre by Mr Buchanan for many years past. The chairman presented to Mr Buchanan the local consul badge, suitably engraved. Mr Buchanan thanked the Centre for the presentation.

Mr Walter Johnson wrote resigning his position as the Centre's delegate to the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. Mr F. D. Stokes was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy, and Mr F. Bowler was elected as a vicepresident of the Association to fill the place rendered vacant by Mr Stokes on becoming a voting member. On behalf of the Centre, Mr E. Eldridge presented a roll-top desk, suitably inscribed, to Mr L. A. G. Rich in appreciation of his valued services as honorary secretary and handicapper. Mr Rich brieflv returned thanks.

The executive reported on the visit of the Australian swimmers, Messrs Solomons, Hay and Reddington, and stated that it had been arranged with the Wellington Centre to hold carnivals in Wellington on December 7 and 21. In view of the Australians staying over the New Year, it had been resolved to hold carnivals at the Christchurch Municipal Baths, if the necessary arrangements could be made on December '26 and 30. It had also been, arranged that the Australian swimmers should give exhibitions at Lyttelton on New Year's Day. It was resolved to hold Centre meetings in future on the fourth Monday in each month.