SWIMMING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 63, 16 March 1931, Page 11

SWIMMING.

CHRISTCHURCH CLUB HAS JUBILEE DINNER

To celebrate its fiftieth year of association with swimming, the Christchurch Amateur Swimming Club held a jubilee dinner and reunion on Saturday evening, after the club had conducted an inter-club carnival in the afternoon. Mr W. K. D. Bishop, president of the New Zealand Swimming Council, was in the chair. There was a good attendance of active and old members of the club, and many reminiscences were exchanged about the early history of the first swimming club in Christchurch. A lengthy toast-list was honoured, and a most successful gathering saw the end of the first fifty years of the club s existence. After the loyal toast, that of “Past Members,” proposed by the club captain. Mr R. D. Hurker Brown, was drunk in silence. The toast of “ The Christchurch Swimming Club” was then proposed by Air C. Bryant. He referred to the splendid work of the original members, none of whom were present. He read extracts from a leter of apology from Mr C. J. C. Smart, a club captain in the early days, In which the writer gave reminiscences of the club’s life In the past, and referred to the great efforts made by the old memhers. His association with the club dated back thirty years, when he swam in the West Christchurch Baths. The club was then in the first flight. it had subsecjuently had its ups and downs, but in the last few years it had been steadily gaining ground again The Past Recalled. Replies were made by Messrs T. W. Reese. A. C. Cottrell, T. H. Barker, J. R, Buchanan, a. r. Falconer, G. T. Booth, J. Grierson, W, Johnston and G. Mr Reese spoke of the keenness of the late Arthur ('‘Pa”) Francis, who was instrumental in putting the club on a sound looting. He waa a real gentleman, and held members together in a remarkalUe manner. J n its hevdav the club had 200 members, but there ‘ were not then the other attractions available

to-day. He wished the club continued prosperity on behalf of the members of his generation. It was a pity, with the traditions behind it. if the club should die. said. Mr Cottrell, and he hoped that young blood would come on and take a keen interest in swimming in the future. Mr Harper said that it was not everything to have the best swimmers. The work of administration was of importance, and in that direction the club had always been fortunate. Mr Buchanan said that Mr Booth, elected in 1881, was the oldest member present. The speaker covered the history of the club briefly, stating that Mrs Booth was the first lady member. Only five presidents had held office during the fifty years, the present holder having been elected in 1914. In the early days members who did not dive in on October 1 were counted as cowards, but apparently the seasons had now changed. Mr Booth said that he learnt to swim in the old swimming pool in the Avon, opposite the Christ’s College grounds, a post marking the area being still standing. He produced two medals dated 1882, one for a 100yds and another for 400yds, held in the West Christchurch baths. It was pleasing, he said, to see lh«t the sport, which was one of the cleanest, both physically and morally, was making progress. The club had flourished greatly in the first half century and he hoped it would flourish Still further in the next fifty years. Mr Grierson recalled the days when the members of the Canterbury Rowing Club had been keen swimmers in the river, and had taken an interest in the doings cf the club. An Enthusiastic Official. Mr Johnston said that he broke into swimming- at an early age. and considered he was now as actively interested in the sport as at any time in the past, though he was now situated at Rangiora. He had been a handicapper to the Canterbury Centre for twelve years and had been responsible for 20.000 handicaps. Those were the) palmy days of swimming when twenty-j cue carnivals were held in a season and 300 competitors were entered. Sometimes thirty-eight teams would enter relay races, there being five familiesthe Richs, Drakes, Wauchops, Dodges and the Truaeotts—who regularly entered a * teams. Mr Lange said that after being nearly drowned three times he decided it was time to learn to swim, and then joined up with the club. He had been

I a constant member and wished present ' members every success. Mr Arthur Donnelly said his recollections of his swimming days were cf • the most pleasant. Carnivals were held l from October to March, and the spirit existing was of the finest, as he felt it still was to-day. The toast of “ The Controlling ■ Bodies ’’ was proposed by Mr G. 11. Gale. Messrs W. E. D. Bishop (presi--1 dent of the New Zealand Swimming Council), S. Hollander (president of the Canterbury Swimming Centre) and G. ■ E. BiJlson (president of the Royal Life Saving Society) responded. Other toasts were:—” Sister Clubs,” proposed by Mr A. R. Jacobson and responses by delegates; “ The Ladies,” proposed by Mr E. Robson and response by Mr M. Mitten; “The Press,” propc-s----ed by Mr A. S. Paterson; and that of Mrs J. Beattie, for fifty years caretaker at the baths, proposed by Mr Buchanan.