SWIMMING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 25 October 1913, Page 12

SWIMMING.

fßx "Splash."]

SOUTHERN ENTHUSIASTS. "Ona Man One Club." • The "one man one club" question is still the bone of contention amongst the swimming fraternity, and it is likely to be so until the annual meeting of the Wellington Swimming Centre. At this meeting, which generally takes place at the end of tho present month, tho question will be finally thrashed out, and if the system is adopted, its effect on the competitive Bide of the sport will bo watched with interest. "Splash" holds that it is going to do a lot for swimming. It is going to restore that lost healthy rivalry, and it is going to make _ the swimming races ton times more interesting, not only to the swimmers, but to the publio. It is pleasing to bo able to record that, contrary to the opinions oppressed by thoso who are against the system, the Old Boys' Club, decided by 10 votes to two, to adopt it. Tho fact that two clubs have adopted the system outright, and one club has affirmed tho principle, makes it seem that there is overy probability of the other clubs being influenced in tho samo direction. I

Down South. . Mr. •J. F. Atkins, chairman of the Wellington Centre, recently returned from a visit to Christchurch, and in an interview with "Splash" he gave liis views from a South Island point of faet, as regards the forthcoming season. Mr. Atkins was, by the courtesy of tho president of tho N.Z. Council (Mr. 6. Harris) invited to a council meeting. His impressions were that the council was inclined to bo parochial; they appeared to bo up in arms against their own centre—that is, the centre which is situated in their midst (Canterbury). Their internal squabbles, said Mr. Atkins, do not in any way help to boost the sjwrt along, and in his opinion the council would do far better to legialato for the sport throughout the Dominion. The opinion favoured is that the local swimming associations should appoint their own delegates, who would be of just as much service to them as any Christchurch man.

Mr, Atkins has always "hold views" on tho establishment of some kind of representation fund (overseas or otherwise), and ho found a very sympathetic adherent in the president. Mr. Harris wont so far as to say that ho would appreciate a remit from any centre in this direction, so that the different centres could bo sounded on the point. The general opinion in the South Island is that 601110 such fund should be started on a sound basis, so that those who aro followers of the sport would be able to support in a monetary fashion any good swlimmors, whom we may >wish to send out of the Dominion, whether for Olympic Games or educational visits to Australia.

Dtago Enthusiastic. Continuing, Mr. Atkins said that swimming in Otago ..liad taken a new lease of life. Mr. P. Rundle, tho late energetic secretary of the New Zealand Swimming Council, has stirred Dunedinites up to good deeds. They took a poll regarding the question o*f raising a loan and tho Dunedin citizens decided to liavo tepid baths erected. Mr. Atkins states that tho approximate cost of these baths will be £10,000, and the Dunedin citizens hone to Lave them open in February. The Canterbury Centre has promised to send down to Otago a team of good swimmers for the first carnival at tho batlis. Otago hopes in tho very near future to be able to solid a team of good swimmers to all forthcoming New Zealand championships. Tepid Baths In Wellington. "Splash" hears on very good authority that there is a movement on foot by a few citizens to approach tho City Council with a view to obtaining a lease for the purpose of a private company being formed to establish tepid baths in Wellington. The promoters point out that as tho City Council has granted leases to other sections of sport, why not to swimming, the moro especially as tho council does not think it advisable at present to establish municipal tepid batlis. The matter is still in the air, but some enthusiastic Citizens are watching it and the scheme will probably not be allowed to die. The Hawaiian Champion. When ho attended tho the Council meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, Mr. Atkins mentioned tho visit to Now Zealand of Duke Khanamukaii, of Hawaii, the world's fastest amateur swimmer. Tho council, ho stated, woro entering on preliminary correspondence, though in a dilatory manner. Mr ; Atkins impressed 011 the council that'it was desirable that tho champion should visit tho open baths districts first, as by tho middle of March the season is becoming advanced. Tho Hawaiian leaves Sydney for New Zealand at tho end of February, and Mr. Atkms suggested Wellington as tho first stop, then probably Wnnganui, then llawke's Bay. It is pleasing to note, however, that tho council has really got tho matter in hand.