DUKE KAHANAMOKU

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2377, 5 February 1915, Page 6

DUKE KAHANAMOKU

A BARGAIN MADE FAMOUS SWIMMER TO APPEAR HERE NEW LIGHT ON POSITION.

Yesterday morning the Wellington Swimming Centre closed, on au offer which will almost certainly result m Duke Kahanamoku being booked to swim iu Wellinston. The New Zealand Swimmine Council made the Wellington Centre an offer, Wollingwn accepted it, and is now merely awaiting a confirmatory telegram to say that the bargain is sealed. When it seemed rather likely that Wellington was to be 'eft off Kahanamoku's programme, the City Centre made the following offer to the. New Zealand Executive iu Christcliurch: — "Before we could undertake to bold a carnival it was essential that the Wellington Corporation " shou'd cut down their charges, which-we have succeeded in having done (from 20 per cent, to 10 per cent, on the gross takings), and as we lave worked out our liability to about £62 10s., on an estimated gate of £65, we offer you 20 per cent, of the gross takings, with a maximum of £20 and a minimum of £10.. You 'must, bear in mind that you have given us a date very late in the season (practically tbe. end), and, from our experience of Wellington weather in March, a big gate cannot bo'relied upon." The New Zealand Executive declined those terms, but said that it would ucccpt "£25 outright." Ciying Auckland Its. Due. The executive's communication shed a little new light on the question as to why Wellington was nearly left in tbo cold. The lette l- ran: "We have offered your centre the first carnival of the North Island, as the South Island carnivals must be held first of all, the weather oil the West Coast being e\'en colder than Wellington. We have had to cut out carnivals in the other centres owing to the tour being shortened, and one centre has had to be cut out altogether. As a matter of fact, owing to your centre only offering to come in after all arrangements had been made, strong objections from outside are being made to the council granting you a date at all. The Auckland Centre are paying a sum of £100, and are holding tbe carnival in open baths, and they particularly asked for tbe date offered your centre. We are being pressed for carnivals from all over the Dominion, and have had to refuse these applications. The council, however, are giving your centre the first refusal, but cannot possibly give a carnival for a lesser amount than the Auckland Centre are paying, who have been so generous in their support of the tour, and to whom we are all indebted for the chance of seeing these magnificent swimmers, as had it not been for their coming to the council's assistance in the Tray they did the tour would havo been abandoned." The Wellington Centre had till to-day to accept or reject the £25 offer, and they have accepted. There is an impression abroad that Wellington will have 110 one to mjitch Against Kahanamoku, but there is a yleasarit surprise in store. It is'interesting to read in a Sydney paper that every Sydney youngster who swims is out to learn Kahanamoku's famous kick.- Most of the lads have shown remarkable aptitude. Several fairly good Sydney swimmers have acquired the visitor's style, and added considerably to their speed,

The Complete Programme, The date.of Kahanamoku's appearance in Wellington is March 6, and the complete New Zealand itinerary now is: February '23, arrive in Wellington from Sydney, and leave for Chiistchurch; February 24, ■ carnival, Chvistchurch; Febnlary 25, leave for Dunedin ; February 26 and 27, carnival at Dunedin; February 28, at Dunedin; March 1, leave for Timaru, arrive 1 p.m., carnival at Timaru, leave 4.10 p.m. for Christchurch ; March 2, leave for Greymoutli; March 3, carnival at Greymoutli •or Hokitika; March 4, leave for Christchurch, carnival at Christchurch; March 5, at Christchurch, leave for Wellington; March 6, carnival in Wellington; March 8 and 9, carnival at Wanganui; March 10, Wanganui to Napier; March 11, carnival at Napier; March 12, Napier to Auckland; March 13 to 23, four carnivals at Auckland; March 23, leave Auckland for Honolulu.