MISS BLEIBTREY’S VISIT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16330, 20 January 1921, Page 6

MISS BLEIBTREY’S VISIT.

CIVIC RECEPTION. ! The City Council chamber was tilled ! with a representative gathering of citii aens yesterday afternoon, when a civic I reception was tendered to Miss Ethelda | Bleibtrey, champion lady swimmer of | the world, who is touring the Dominion under the auspices of.J:lie New Zealand Syimming Association. Amongst those present were the members of the New Zealand Swimming Council and the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. The Mayor said that they knew Miss Bleibtrey was a world champion—nob by word, but bv deed. She had '• faced the music ” arid she had won in competition against the world. (Applause). They had hoped the world’s swimming champion would belong to New Zealand New Zealanders were great people at copying, however, and when they saw how champions were made they copied them. It was hoped that the Olympic Games would come to New Zealand in the course of the next few years. We had just had the world’s tennis championship decided here, and as the late Anthony Wilding -—a specialist like Miss Bloibfcrev—had brought the Davis Cup to New Zealand so he hoped Dominion athletes would bring the Olympic Games here. New Zealand wanted to ho the friend of America, in commerce, industry, communication and for. the sake of sport. On account of America’s war efforts j New Zealand particularly welcomed Miss Bleibtrey. “ While you are in Christchurch” said the Mayor, “we shall all he delighted to show you everything we can and make your visit a pleasant one. Remember, your wishes are a command until you leave us. I hope this will not he your last visit to New Zealand, and if we can capture you for New Zealand so much the better.” ( Apnlause).

Mr W. E. Simes detailed the steps which led to Miss Bleibtrev’s visit to the Dominion The Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association had arranged an itinerary of local visits for her, he said, and would do everything possible to make her star in Christchurch a pleasant one. He could assure those present from what he had seen at a swimming exhibition given by Miss Bleibtrey that morning, that she would astonish the local people. On behalf of tlie Canterbury Centre he extended a hearty welcome ip Miss Bleibtrey, her mother and the friend accompanying them.

Air W. H. Benson, on behalf of the New Zealand Swimming Council, endorsed Mr .Si mes’s remarks. Miss Bleibtrev’s visit would be of incalculable value to the swimmers of the Dominion. She was a specialist, and her visit, would he of immense value to the younger swimmers in the Dominion. America had given the world many things—talking machines, “Ford” cars, “ wooden nutmegs ” (laughter), and moving pictures. When the public saw Miss Bleibtrey they would say that she was the greatest moving picture they had ever seen. The New Zealand Council was doing a very valuable educational work, and he felt sure that if the public only knew what a valuable work it was doing they would support it more. Miss Bleibtrey, on rising to speak, was greeted with applause. She had had a wonderful tour through New Zealand. This had been largelv due to the Swimming Council’* thoughtfulness in providing her with such an excellent chaperone in Mrs Batchelor. She thanked the Mayor and all those present_£or the hearty welcortie they had accorded her.

On the call of the Mavor hearty cheers were given for Miss Bleibtrey.