PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14266, 17 January 1920, Page 7

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by corresponduiiU, whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. TEACHING OF SWIMMING. (To the Editor.) Sir, —In Thursday’s issue a Mr Rye” lias a little to say about the ha n caretaker’s duties. He finds that, although his hoy has been going to the Baths regularly, ho has not as yet mastered the art of swimming, and lays the blame upon the caretaker, for not having taught him. Well, Sir, I am a regular attender at the baths, and have often seen the caretaker trying to teach the boys. In learning swimming, the trouble is, as in most things, lack of confidence, and naturally the caretaker takes the willing boys in hand first. A boy has not the same confidence ip a stranger as he has in his own father. Even that one-time chamon swimmer, Dick Cavill, who used ‘n t’-y to teach the schoolboys of Auckland, absolutely failed with some hoys. 1 should advise Dir Ryan to try to teach !iis bov himself.—l am. etc., OBSERVER. (To the Editor.) Sir, —I was very much amused on reading Mr Ryan’s letter re instruction of swimming by the baths manager of the local baths. I would first and foremost ask him to name the baths managers in Auckland who teach swimming, and as the correspondent has had. such a large experience in other' towns, it is a marvel to me that the boy in question is hot a champion. I know for a fact Hie local baths manager is only too pleased lo instruct either adult or child free of charge when asked. Hsa the correspondent or his son ever approached the manager on the matter? In your issue just before Christmas I noticed a note that the baths manager requested parents who were desirous of their children learning to swim to send them lo the baths before 9 a.m., as after that hour he is too busy attending at the baths office and general duties. Surely the correspondent does not want him lo he in his bathing rig at all hours of the day.—l am, etc., SWIMMER.