SWIMMERS DIFFER.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1069, 7 March 1911, Page 6

SWIMMERS DIFFER.

LIFE-SAVING GRANT. MB. W. G. MOBrETH IN PROTEST. There was a lively "breeze" at (he meeting of the Wellington Centre of, tho NewZealand Swimming Association last evening. Some months ago tho Centre decided to hand over to the Life-Saving Society a sum of about £i~, entrusted to the Centre by th« New Zealand Council to be expended in the promotion of life-saving. Tho approval or the council was sought by letter, but, so far, it has not replied. Having stated three facts last evening, the chairman of the Centre (Mr. G. S. Hill) was about to pass to the next business, when Mr. W. G. Morpeth rose to protest. ''You know perfectly well," he stated, that the Centre has not had the energy to use that money for the purpose for winch it was intended. The peoplo down in Christchm-ch have not had tho 'spunk' to answer your letters. If you men are men," continued Mr. Morpeth, with heat, "if you understand yourselves and stick to your own decisions and vour own opinions, I say-—" Tho chairman called Mr. Morpeth to order. Whatever the Centre might do, it must bo dene in a constitutional nerMr. Morpeth: "Not at all! Why havo you not used this money?" Tho chairman: You 'won't give mo a chance to speak. Mr. Morpeth: "You don't want to spc i : /m < L;n, Sutcr.) "You havo not used it (the money) though vou have had t i-i, l *'3" .vou are acting foolishly, Mr. Chairman." .The chairman said the. council had a n " in , "" p letter? from the Centre, and the latter body had to wait its pleasure. If it handed over this money without being authorised by the council it might bo called to account for not acting in a constitutional manner. After some further debate, Mr. Wilton moved that the Centre write to the council srating that it would hand over the money to tho Life-Saving Society unless tho council lodged an obicction to this course within 30 days. Mr. Morpeth: Make it ten davs. n. l L 9'* [mra moved, as an amendment, that the money bo handed over forthwith. The secretary (Mr. Fleming) supported the chairman s view that to hand over the money without the express authority rni c , ou ! lci ' wou ' r l '« unconstitutional. Ihe chairman said he would put the motion if members so desired, but it seemed to liim "rather harsh." He would suggest that it should be modified. Mr. Romcrville contended that the matter should be settled out of hand without reference to # what Canterbury might think or do. Five minutes' conversation with swimmers who had recently como up from Christchurch had convinced him that Canterbury was not prepared to accord fair treatment to tho Life-Saving Society. Eventually a vote wag taken. Tho amendment] was lost, and Mr. Wilton's motion was carried. It was first of all agreed, however, that the wording should be modified. The secretary was instructed to write to the council that the Ccntro would assume itself justified in handing over the money in question to the LifeSaving Society, and would further assume that its action was approved by the council unless that body notified it to tho contrary within 30 days.

THE WELLINGTON CENTRE. The Wellington Centre of tho New- Zeaand Amateur Swimming Association met last evening, Mr. G. S. Hill presiding. A motion that tho Centre donate .£lO 10s. towards tho funds that are being raised to send New Zealand athletes Home to represent the Dominion at the Festival of Empire sports was carried on the casting vote of the chairman. An amendment that tho donation be .£5 ss. was rejected. The chairman stated that if tho Centre fixed a date for the carnival to bo held in aid of the Y.W.C.A. hostel fund, the Baths Committee would probably grant the use of the Te Aro baths on that date. If a strong combined committee were appointed it should be easy to make the carnival a success. It was decided te hold tho carnival on March 18. The chairman (Mr. Hill) and Messrs. Fleming, Blick, Wilton, Baker, and Shields were appointed to represent the Centre on the Carnival Executive Committee.

THORNDON CLUB. A fifty yards race for boys' under fifteen was decided under tho auspices of the Thomdon Club at the Thorndon Baths last evening. The prize was a trophy presented by Mr. L. W., Ludwig. Result :-E. Campbell, 3sec, 1; J. Wareham, 3sec, 2; A..Campbell, 25sec, 3. Also competed: O. Mason (27sec), W. MThail (Iscc), Y. Freeth (3sec), V. Wise (2sec), P. Freeth (scr.). Time, 34sec.

The Y.M.CA. Club decided the 100 yards distance of the junior championship at'the Tc_Aro Baths last evening, resulting in a win for M. Henderson, with N. Leslie second, and R. Leslie third. Also' started: D. Scott. Henderson is now leading with 6 points, with G. Gray and N. Leslie next with 2 points each. The final event, a diving competition, v;ill bo held at a date to be fixed later.