SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2646, 17 December 1915, Page 9

SWIMMING

THE WELLINGTON CENTRE

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual general meeting of the Wellington Swimming Centra was hold at tho Y.M.C.A. rooms last evening, Mr. G. S. Hill presiding. The fallowing delegates were present:—Mr. A. H. Stevenson (Swifts Club), Mr. F. Wilton (Post Office Club), Mr. H. W. Harris (Thorndon), Mr. E. Levy (Old Boys), Mr. T. Shields (Wellington Club), Mr. H. Blick (Wairarapa), Mr. L. Blundell (Carterton), Mr. A. M. Farnall (Masterton Y.M.C.A.), secretary, Tho annual report, which was adopted,'is as'follows.:—"Tho . Centre has lmd a successful season, notwithstanding that many of our swimmers have enlisted with the N.Z. Expeditionary Forces. The New Zealand Council is compilingla record of nil those who have .responded to tho call of the Empire, and clubs are requested to forward to the Centre as early as possible a list of all their members who have enlisted. Many have given their lives in the service, of tho Empire, arid tho Centre extends sipcerest sympathy to the berpaved families. The annual school j girls' and boys' championships were held >at the Thorndon Baths on March 27. The Centre extends its congratulations to the following winners:—Jessie Aiken, Kilbirnie School; D. J. Murrell, Wellington Boys' College. Under the supervision of Mr. T. Shields, .the usual swimming tests for proficiency certificates awarded was 130. The most notable event of the season was the visit of Duke Kahanamoku and George Cunha. 'I'he carnival held on the occasion of their visit was a splendid success both financially' and otherwise. This notwithstanding the unpleasant weather conditions. "At the championship meeting held at Napier, the only competitors to represent Wellington 'were:—Mr. W. Linden, Miss E. O'Leary, and Master Garrett, who although swimming well, wero unable to bring any championship back to Wellington. The Flying Squadron Championship was swum at the Duke Kahanamoku Carnival, and won by the Thorndon Club. The contest for this trophy between teams representing Wellington and Canterbury Centres was held at the Wellington Club's carnival, Canterbury again proving the winners. Owing to the absence of many senior swimmers with the N.Z. Expeditionary Force in Samoa, the water polo and Centre championships wore not conducted as usual. "The Centre is in a sound financial position. The excess of assets 'over liabilities is £86 165.. 7d. Although tho Centre is in such a splendid position financially, it is nevertheless necessary to exercise economy, in the future. Tho thanks of the Centre are duo to Mr. ,T. Shields for his services in connection with girls' and boys' proficiency certificates; Mr. B. O'Neill, our representative on the N.Z. Council, and to all those officials who have displayed eftergy for tho advancement of -the sport. The Centre cannot conclude its annual report without referring to the great honour conferred on swimming through the medium of Commander B. C. Freyberg, who ,was aWardcd the D.S.O. for conspicuous bravery shown on April 25 at tho Dardanelles, and whose gallant feat was made " possible by his'swimming prowess. The N.Z. Counoil has also recognised Commander B. C. Froyberg's feat in the highest Possible, manner by awarding him a /egion of Heroism Certificate. Tho Centro trust that all those members who are in a position to do so will enlist in the N.Z. 'Expeditionary Forces as soon as possible/ arid those remaining at homo use their best endeavours to keep the' sport alive and make tho coming a season a success." The chairman (Mr. G. S. Hill) thought the Centre should bo congratulated on their sound position, financial and otherwise. He thought that they could do nothing better during the coming period than "to encourage swimming among the junior swimmers. Mr. Hill's remarks were endorsed by delegates. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. T. Eonayne, 1.5.0.; vice-presidents, Mr. A. Levy, ■ Mr.. J; P. Maxwell; chairman, Mr. H. - C. W. Blick; secretary, Mr. H. W. , Harris; treasurer, Mr. A. H. Steven- , son; consul, Mr. T. Shields; starter : Mr. A. Jacobs; .handicappers, Messrs, . L. Blundell and A. Jacobs; timekeepers, Messrs. G. S. Hill and S. W Ludwig; .council representative, Mr. B O'Neill; executive, Messrs. A. M. Far- , nail, G. S. Hill, F. Wilton, T. Shields , L. Blundell, C. T. Bell, E. Levy; audi , tor, Mr. A. A. Somerville. It was I 'decided to have a roll of hon our of all swimmers who have volun j teered for active service printed anc ; exhibited. A sub-committee, consist 5 ing of Messrs. T. Shields, F. Wilton H. C. W. Blick, and L. Blundell, wai ( set up to compile the Jist. A vote of thanks was passed to thi . outgoing officers, especially the chair t man and; treasurer, i .