SWIMMING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1697, 13 March 1913, Page 3

SWIMMING.

WELLINGTON CENTRE. TEPID BATHS DISCUSSED. A special meeting of the Wellington Swimming Ontro was held last evening (Mr. ,1. ]:'. Atkins presiding), for tho purple of considering tlie proposition by the Wellington Swimming Club to the effect tliat "in view of the fact that miliar present conditions, one club has more than proportionate representation on the executive of tho centre, this club desires one-man-ont'-clul} representation." The motion and. the club's reason for moving same were to hare been explained to tile meeting by Mr. Blair, the club's delegate, but owing to his non-appear-ance an explanation was not forthcoming. Mr. T. Shields, who is also a delegate of the Wellington Council, said that-Mr. Blair agreed to take the matter in hand, and he (the speaker) yjas unable to give any explanation as lie had not gone into the matter. .

Mr. 1\ Wilton considered that a. motion of protest against the Wellington Club should be passed. They had been the cause of the meeting, and yet they had not come along to settle the matter. After some discussion, Mr. Sheilds formally moved the motion. Mr. G. Neal seconded, and after general discussion the motion was lost.

Mr. Shields wished the delegates to understand that it was no fault of his that the necessary explanation was not forthcoming. Mr. G. S. Hill asked the chairman whether the cheque for .620 owing to the Royal Life .Saving Society had been paid over.

The chairman said that it had not, and evidently it had been overlooked by the treasurer.. In reply to a further question, the chairman said that the money would be paid over directly after Easter. An informal discussion tten took place oil the question of tepid baths. Mr. Shields considered that it was most desirable to have tepid baths in Wellington. Tho centre should urge upon the City Council tho necessity for their provision.

TliA chairman remarked that he had been viewing the proposed plans for a tepid bath, which is to be erected for the Beys' Institute. Ho understood that the Institute authorities were going lo spend something like JMOOO 011 the construction of a tepid bath. He considered that a deputation should wait .upon the City Council immediately after Easter aud put the matter beforo them.

Mr. G. S. Ilill considered that an injustice had been done to the Newtown residents, by not providing them with a tepid bath. The present baths were too far away for Newtown people, and consequently they did not have so many opportunities of visiting them. Mr. Wilton suggested that the old tranished section which, has been lying idlo for some years would be a suitable situ for a tepid bath.

Mr. A.. Smith said the "time was not yet ripe for tepid baths. It had been proved that they wer-o not so healthy as they would appear. Hq said he had another question—the Thovndon baths. It was a well-known fact that these baths were in a dilapidated state, and they would have to be seen to in the near future. It must be remembered that the City Council had done a lot of good for swimming generally. The centre should advocate for a new hath at Thorndon. Incidentally, he mentioned that the Thorndon Club had done a lot of good for swimming, and its latest innovation— which it had not got much crcdit for— was the introduction of mixed bathing. Air. L. Blnmlell brought up the matter of the buys', siyimming races at the recent carnival conducted by the Swifts' Club ladies' branch. The club decidcd the schoolboys' championship, and owing lo a misut'idersUnding regarding the ago limit, several boys were informed that they could not compete. He did not blame the Swifts' Club, because lw knew that. Mr. Jenkinson (captain of. the club) had endeavoured (0 find' out what the age limit for a schoolboys' championship was. The club couhl not find any rule which gave the ago limit. They thought it was fifteen years. Those boys who wer-o sixteen years of ago were debarred from swimming. Mr. Hill said that tlio ago limit was 15, as 110 had confirmed the matter at a meeting of the centre some years ago. Members expressed themselves being satisetied that tho age \vas definitely lixod at 15 years.