SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 21, 19 October 1918, Page 9

SWIMMING

ANNUAL MEETING OF WELLINGTON CENTKE. The annual meeting of the Wellington Centre of tho New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association'was , held on Wednesday evening, at tho Civic Club. Those present were:—Messrs. T. Honnyno (president), T. Shields, J. M'Nio (Wellington Club),. C-T. '.Bell (Worser Bay), .G; S. Hill (K.L.S.S.), L. Blundel (Carterton), ■]('.■ "Wilton (G.P.0.), H. C. W. Blick (Wairarapa), W. C. Collier, E. Timmins (Ladies' Club), A. M. JFarnnll (P.N.). The following' clubs -were not represented :— Island Bay, Evans Bay, Thorndon, Y.M.0.A., Boys' Institute, St. Patrick's, Masterton Y.M.G'.A,, Mnstorton Ladies', Greytown, and Levin. Tho annual report stated that last season showed a decided improvement on tho previous two seasons. The- sport had progressed considerably owing to the keenness displayed by the junior members of the various affiliated clubs. Early, in the war tho executive passed a resolution that all gate receipts should bo handed to patriotic funds, tlio result being that close on £2000 had been collected by tho centre and its affiliated clubs during the season. Of the fourteen affiliated clubs previous to tho war, only two were left active, but six new ones had since been formed, and although their activities hnd been confined to juniors only all had had successful seasons. Tlio centre was represented at the Dominion Championships by a team _of eight members, and was placed third for the shield, with 17 points. Exceptionally large fields hat! contested the local school championships. Wellington school children had gained 631 swimming certificates, as compared with 499 the previous year. Tho report and the balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected: — President, Mr. T. Eonayno; vice-pre-sidents, Mr. J. P. Maxwell and Hon. A. Myersj chairman, Mr. H. C. W. Blick; lion, secretary, Mr. A. M. Farnail; lion, treasurer, Mr. J. M'Nio; delegate to N.Z.A.S.A., Mr. B. O'Neill; consul, Mr. T. Shields; starter, Mr. F. Wilton; handioapper, Mr. A. A. Sommerville; timekeepers, Messrs'. L. W. Ludwig, G. S. Hill, and T. H. Coltman; auditor, Mr. A. A. Sommerville; water polo referees, Messrs. G. Sadd and 0. Mooro.

The meeting was addressed by Messrs. Davis and Hodgson, members of the Citizens' Gift Fund Executive, who appealed to the Swimming Association to assist on somewhat similar lines as last year, when the swimmers' efforts amounted to second highest on tho list. It was resolved to call for a meeting of swimmers to see if any action or what action should be taken in tho matter.

AIR CAMOUFLAGE

Tlio bold, impetuous nature of the airman lms asserted itself in the startling colours with which most fighting "stouts" are painted. At first aeroplanes were painted with a viow to camouflaging them. The top sides of the planes were decorated with an irroguiar pattern of brown and. green which mingled easily with the dull mosaic of tlio .fields below, and so hid, to a certain extent, the machine from the eyes of hostile airmen Hying higher, whilo'tlie lower planes were painted pale liluo at silver in order thai machines or 'anti-craft gunners below might not readily see them. This is still done to a certain extent, but bolder spirits have realised the psychological law that there may be greater safety in making yourself awfully conspicuous rnd conspicuously awful than ;in trying to escape attention with a quiet, drab appearauce.. The result has been that many machines now havo a more brilliant appearance than any revue poster or Futurist landscape. Bright Hue and gold, scarlet and ' emerald, black and lemon, mustard and mauve, they flaunt themselves, before a startled enemy. Some squadrons, such as lUchthofon's famous "circus," arc decked with one particular hue, and all who draw near realiso with what thoy have to deal. > Most,individually-famous airmen have had their machines painted in a particular way in order to terrify enemy machines, and.also that their reports may bo checked by other airmen, for in tlio mad excitement of an air light it is not easy to distinguish one machine from another. Observers on tlio ground also can distinguish the colours of different machines in a fight and can make a ..report on the success of a niachi/io with a particular colour design. : Another cause of the lolouring is that it gives the pilot a chance to assert his individuality and to get away from uniform ideas. Dragons, cfeath'sheads, clutching hands, lightning streaks, nicknames, emblems, mascots, and the faces of. music-hall stars aro also painted on machines. Some arc quite works of art and . have lieeti painted by professional artists who happen to k> attached as officers or mechanics to the squadron.' The psychological value is very great. A squadron of vivid scarlet machines must receive great encouragement from their similarity of decoration, while tho colour assist them greatly in distills Kuishinp; friends from enemies. The fact that the name of his sweetlieart is panted on the nose cf his machine may give new strength to a flagging pilot who has perhaps been wounded. Pridein his machine- is a very creditable quality in an airman, and if ho decoratos it himself it has for him far more personality than if it had merely a number.—Paul Bawdier, in ihe "Daily Mail."