SWIMMERS IN SOT WATER

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2204, 17 July 1914, Page 8

SWIMMERS IN SOT WATER

THAT SUNDAY SWIMMING "RACE" The sequel to a recent Sunday 'swimming race at Te Aro Baths was a deputation from the Wellington Amateur Swimming Club to the Reserves Committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon in connection with the threatened proceedings by the council against one of its members for alleged obstruction of the municipal baths custodian in the execution of his duty, to wit, pulling down an official notice. The deputation consisted of Messrs. G S. Hill, T. Shields, and D. K. Blair. Mr. G. P. Hanna, the club member being prosecuted, and Mr. Wilton, custodian. of Te Aro Baths, were also present. Councillor Frost presided over the sitting of the Reserves Committee. In receiving the, deputation he said that he wanted them to fully recognise that tlie council must be the controlling bodj over the Te Aro Baths. Mr. Hill, president of the Royal Lifesaving' Society, explained 'throughout the_ whole of the affair there was no dosirt on the part of the club to act without the consent of the City Council. There had been a misunderstanding, they admitted. The swimming race (the/beginning of the affair) had not taken place under the auspices of any swimming club and no club was responsible for it. The object of the deputation then was to ask the council not to go on with-,the. action." Mr. Hanna was willing to apologise for obstructing the caretaker. " • Mr. Blair, president of the Wellington Swimming Club and chairman of the Centre, said that 'on behalf of the former body ho vrislied -to tender the club's regrets for the occurrence. The swimming ; race in question—it was' really not a race —had been in existence 15 years. It was just a social affair between winter morning bathers. The other race : which by'a mistake had been advertised, had never taken place. The club strongly discountenanced any Sunday swimming. "■ After other' speakers had been heard,-. Councillor Frost said- tliat_the committee had no desire to he vindictive. It wished it.,to he understood, however, that the council was the controlling authority. Councillor Frost referred to. the advertisement in the paner announcing the race, and the published result. When the'council saw this it felt tliiit there was an indignity placed on it — .that it had been absolutely ignored. Th'e matter of the pulling down of the notice at the baths had bpen referred to the City Solicit-or and action taken. "In my opinion Mr. Fnnua is an impetuous young man," said .Councillor Frost.' He promised that if-the deputation withdrew for a few moments the matter would he decided. Some five minutes litter the deputation .was .informed that the .following motion had been passed: "That in view of the fact that an apology has been tendered by Mr. Hanna and in view of the assurance of the deputation that, no act detrimental to the Authority of the council was intended, and that there would be no repetition of the offence tho committee, on this condition-'will, give instructions' to have'the case withdrawn." The deputation thanked the council and withdrew.