FLASHES FROM WELLINGTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18015, 27 November 1926, Page 10

FLASHES FROM WELLINGTON.

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, November 27. To Take a Header. “Just how should a swimming bath be officially opened? Your Mayor has said something about me entering ths homes and lives of the people,” said the Governor-General when opening the. Riddiford baths at Lower Hutt 3'esterday, “and I was just a little afraid he might expect me to enter the swimming baths as well in order to declare them open. I half feared that at the end of 3 few appreciative words, T would be expected to take a header, top hat and all, into the water. I am pleased, however, that delegates have been appointed to do this for me.” Sir Charles Fergusson’s remarks recall the famous occasion of the opening of the Boys’ Institute baths some years ago when Sir John Luke, then Mayor, carried away by enthusiasm, did take such a header into the water, top hat and all, and had to be rescued.

Woman Athletes. The opinion that the sphere of athletics that embraces women has come to stay in the Dominion was expressed yesterday when a reception was tendered to the Gisborne ladies’ relay team, which will meet the Wellington champion four on the Basin Reserve to-day. Mr Owen Partridge and Mrs Forster, who accopipanied the team, thanked the Wellington Centre for the hospitality accorded, and pointed out that the object of the visit was to encourage visits between the Wellington and Gisborne clubs in every branch of sport. Later the visitors were taken for a drive round the bay.

Young Immigrants. Another draft of thirty boys for Flock House left England on November 5 by the Mataroa and are due at Wellington on December 12. This latest batch is composed of a large proportion of Scottish lads, and the rest are from all parts of the country. The fourth draft of girls for the hostel at Awapuni are due on December 12. They are twelve, all from South Shields. . ..„ ...