NOT GIVING UP THE FIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 290, 8 December 1939, Page 11

NOT GIVING UP THE FIGHT

WELLINGTON SWIMMING CENTRE REPLY TO CRITICISM “We are not going to give up thi fight as long as we are the controlling body of swimming,” is a note of deter mination sounded by representative of the Wellington Swimming Centn in making reply to some recent criti cism. s The fight is for tepid baths, and it 1 * claimed that, so far as the centre i; concerned, it has been on for thirt; v years—on with both loud and sof ’ pedals, but without effect. \ Of the need for tepid baths, whicl x has been acknowledged by critics o e swimmnig in Wellington, the centn L officials feel very keenly, and, accord v ing to Messrs. C. E. Claridge, F. Adam and J. C. Blakeley, there are also keer feelings about criticisms levelled a’ 1 the control of swimming in Wellington. e It is claimed by those swimming r officials that there is work being done 1 plenty of it and under trying circump stances. ' For that there is no tribute but any - amount of criticism. Were the criticism of a constructive nature it would * be welcomed, and helpful advice would be received only too readily. ■> Centre’s Policy. With regard to the centres’ practice of farming out championships, the officials state: “The Wellington Centre's policy is governed entirely by the de- ; cision of the various club delegates, ’ and they naturally decide where the ? championship events are to be held. “It may be stated that at a cham- ’ pionship carnival held at the Riddiford Baths last season the maximum numJ her of championships was swum off in ; one night. “This carnival resulted in a financial loss to the centre. And may we ask ’ who is to stand these continual Josses ' which have been experienced for many years?” On the point that a full champion- ’ ship programme should be staged, the officials, mentioning that the majority ' of local swimmers compete in all 1 events from 50 yards to 880 yards, hold that it would be quite unreasonable to expect a swimmer to take part in heats and finals of all events when ' crowded into a one-evening or oneafternoon programme. Moreover, many of the swimmers compete in backstroke, relay and other events. A suggestion about the poorness of swimming in Wellington is regarded as being not well founded, and with regard to this some indication of what the sport has produced was outlined in a recent statement on the centre’s behalf. Not Vegetating. As for centre officials vegetating, the trio taking up the case for reply states: “We would like to point out that the delegates are appointed annually by their clubs and there are only two or three present members of the centre who have been in office for more than three years. “The delegates act on behalf of the clubs they represent and any club has the right to bring forward suggestions for the general good of swimming.” “Who will foot the bill?’’ is a question w&ich causes the centre no little concern. This is acknowledged by the officials in touching upon the matter of the financial risk to be faced in staging swimming carnivals. A donation in place of condemnation would be very acceptable to the centre as an aid to overcoming difficulties; indeed, a cheque—even from the critic —would, the officials indicated, be accepted with pleasure by the centre. That apart, it is felt by these officials, that swimming and its administration in Wellington are worthy of more encouraging treatment than has been meted out.