SWIMMING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 439, 3 December 1930, Page 4

SWIMMING

I ■

“LEANDER.")

With the opening of the revived Avenue Club on Saturday afternoon, it may be said that swimming in Wanganui for the 1930-31 season has commenced. Brilliant weather favoured the club for their postponed function, but it is hard to understand why there was not more support from other clubs.

An Acknowledgment. The writer desires to acknowledge the receipt of Royal Life-saving Society hand-books, from the secretary of the Wanganui Head Centre of the Royal Life-saving Society, Mr Clem S. Swan.

N.Z. Championship Programme Confirmation of the tentative programme sent to the New Zealana Council by the Wanganui Centre is now awaited. The Council meeting was fixed for last Thursday evening, but so far, no advice has been received. No Handbook this Year

Owing to the small return received from sales the New Zealand Swimming Association is not issuing the official handbook this year. It is to be regretted that there was not a greater demand for the book, as it contained much interesting and valuable information. Obviously the Council cannot afford to lose financially, and it is probable that some time will elapse before a further publication is made. •

Season’s First Carnival. Saturday, December 13, has been selected by the executive of the Gonvillc Club for their carnival which will be the first of the season. This decision was made over the week-end and on Monday the programme was printed and ready for circulation. It offers plent; of variety and should find approval among the active brigade. No distance events arc considered and this is only natural for an early season function.

Auckland Club Strength. Returns furnished at the Auckland Centre’s meeting recently of the me bership strength of the various ciu.,s affiliated to the centre, with the exception of the University and Helensville Clubs whose reports were not at hand, revealed that there were 918 members last season. Following are details of the strength of the clubs:—North ►Shore, 175; Mount Eden, 171; Ponsonby, 147; Waitemata, 113; Dargaville, 84; Grammar, SO; Whangarci, 73; Parnell, 55; Pukekohc, 20.

Recognition. Life-saving and swimming circles are very pleased with the well-mer-ited recognition of the work of Mr D. R. Robbins, president of the Wanganui Head Centre of Royal Life-saving Society and Mr R. Tilley, a member or the executive, by .he headquarters in London of the R.L.S.S. These two enthusiasts, who have done so much for the 'cause of life-saving have been presented with gold medallions and certificates. The write, congratulates both on the spirit which has justly earned recognition. Baetihi Swimming Club. Unfavourable weather caused the executive of the Raetihi Club to abandon their opening day, arranged tu take place last Saturday, uutil December 13. At a meeting of the club''held last Friday night it was decided to affiliate with the Wanganui Centre and extend an invitation to Mr A. Muller, president, to meet the committee at its next meeting. Members expressed the hope that the decision to affiliate with the Wanganui Centre would bring about visits from members of Wanganui clubs and thus assist the Ractihi Club in the effort to conduct carnivals and generally encourage swimming in the district. Inter-club Swimming. Since last week ’s notes appeared the writer has discussed the idea of interclub swimming which could be encouraged if the various clubs held their club nights on different evenings. Uno suggestion put forward was that each club should subscribe a guinea for the purpose of buying a cup which would be suitable for a points competition. Another suggestion was that a banner similar to that at present hanging in the Central Club shed should be procured. The latter suggestion is to be ‘commended. Inter-club competition has everything in its favour and it is to be hoped that the executives of the Avenue, Wanganui East, Gonville, and Central Clubs will give thought to ways and means of bringing it about. Nelsen Shield Day. Outspoken comment on the suitability, or the non-suitability, of a Sunday as the day for holding the Nelson Lifesaving Shield was heard at the meeting of the Wanganui Head Centre of the Royal Life-saving Society last Thursday evening. The general opinion, although by no means a unanimous one, was against the holding of the contests on such a day. Friday; March 6, has been decided upon. Mr F. K. Turnbull’s admission that Mr P. Dickson’s statement that Sunday would be more suitable and would re-

su'.. in a larger patronage was undoubtedly correct. The possibility of public opinion, however, against that day outweighed all arguments and the consequent selection of Friday followed. In Training.

An addition to the ranks of Wanganui swimmers who are training is A. Noble. Although a member of the Gonvillc, Club, Noble docs the majority of his work in the Aramoho School bath. H. Gowan, who by the way has signified his intention of joining up with the same club is at present, in Napier. He is expected back in Wanganui at the end of the month. A. C. Bullivant and *J. Cardo (Central), continue to do good work. J. Walker, however, shows little enthusiasm. The ex-holder of the New Zealand junior sprint title is a good swimmer but he will need to be at his best to have any chance with Bullivant, even over a short journey. Training will be absolutely necessary. W. Adams (Avenue) was noticed at the Avenue Club’s opening. He should be a serious contender for the New Zealand national backstroke title. Miss D. Anderson and Miss E. MacDonald (Gonvillc) continue to do plenty of slow work. I). Chisholm (Gonvillc) has been suffering from influenza. K. Craig is moving particularly well, but will require plenty of work, however, if he desires to gwim in any of the longer events. L. Smith (N.Z. Breaststroke Champion) is working quietly. Smith is in fairly good condition and should not take long to get into the best of fettle.

Finally the importance of long slow swimming cannot be over emphasised.