SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2772, 16 May 1916, Page 7

SWIMMING

MEETING OF THE CENTRE

ALTERATION OF A RULE

A general meeting or delogates' to'the Wellington Swimming Centre was held at tho IT.M.C.A. last evening. Mr. H. C.

W. Blick presided, and the following 'delegates were present:—Messrs. T. Shields ■ (Wellington Club), V. . Wilton (G.P.O. Club), C. Bell (Worser Bay Club), G. S. Hill (Royal Life Saving Society). H. W. Harris (Thorndon Club), A. H. Stevenson (Swifts Club), A. M. Faruall (Masterton Clnb), and B. O'Neill (delegate to New Zealand Council). Tho chairman read an extract from the. annual report of the Brooklyn\' School drawing attention to the lack of' bathing facilities that the children attending that school were subject to, and advocating the erection of swimming baths in that part of the town,, or, failing that, suggesting that the City Council should run a tram car during tho swimming season to one of tho city baths and charge a nominal fee, to include the ride and admission to the baths. The chairman stathe had provisionally promised the headmaster that tho Wellington Centre would lend its full support to any movement to better the conditions of theBrooklyn children in this connection. Mr. F. Wilton moved, and it was • carried, that the chairman's notion bo endorsed, and that the-centre suggests that a concession ho granted on the trams to thechildren wishing to attend the baths. It was decided.that the chairman and a delegate should attend any deputation that might be formed. Mr. G. S. Hill moved that,the New Zealand Council be written to, suggesting that that body should seek the co~operation of the various swimming centres and the Royal Life Saving Society in securing the introduction of swimming as a compulsory subject on the school syllabus.' The motion-was carried.

A letter, was received from Mr. B. O'Neill (delegate to the New Zealand Council) drawing attention to and explaining a motion moved by hdni in connection With, a discussion- on tho advisability' or otherwise of. 'admitting bathi custodians and their assistants to aimi•teur privileges, either wholly or-partial-ly. Mr. O'Neill's motion was, jn> effect, that the council should draw up a draft •forthe consideration, of tho centres, and that their opinions on the matter should be solicited. A circular from the council in conformity with Mr.; O'Neill's. motion was also . received.

The matter was referred to a sub-com-mittes to report. Mr.-H. W. Harris (Thomdou Club delegate) moved:'- "That as the minutes of ii meeting held in March, 1914, do not show, that the motion to alter Rule 5 was carried by a sufficient majority to enable the alteration of a rule, each affiliated club is entitled to be represented on tho centre by two delegates.". Tho motibji referred to by Mr. Harris altered the then existing rule (tha/t a club should bB represented by two delegates)' to read that each affiliated club be entitled to be represented.'by only'one- delegate. Mr.' G. S. Hill, who was chairman of tho centre at the itimo tho rule was altered, stated that should the motion submitted by Mr. Harris be carried all .tho work of the centre for the past two yeaTS must bo "treated as invalid. Great difficulties had to bo faced by tho centre at tho' period under notice, and ho regretted that there were two 'delegates who withdrew from tho centre. ' Mr. Hill read a letter from, the Now Zealand Council, expressing approval of tho work' of tho Wellington Centre, and sanctioning tho 'then constitution' of that body.' He regretted tho appearance of the motion at a time of difficulties like the present, and ho felt that the motion .'would bo much more acceptable if in the form of u rescinding motion. _■ Tho ohairman agreed with Mr. Hill, 'although he thought tho alteration had not been carried'by-a sufficient majority. Ho suggested (hat Mr. Harris withdraw his- motion and bring it forward in a more acceptable form.

Mr. Harris explained that he was simply seeking to right a wrong. He would, hoivever, cheerfully withdraw his motion, and Would bring it forward in the manner suggested—simply proposing that the' old rule be reverted to—at a subsequent meeting.- * -