CHAMPION AMERICAN SWIMMER

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 96, 17 January 1921, Page 7

CHAMPION AMERICAN SWIMMER

GISBORNE VISIT CANCELLED PUBLIC MUCH DISSATISFIED By Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, January 16. Some weeks ago the Gisborne Swimming Club, in common with other clubs of the Dominion, applied for a visit of Miss Bleibtrey, the champion American lady swimmer. The necessary guarantees were forthcoming, and a date was fixed for Saturday, According to the official notices, .Miss Bleibtrey and party were to leave Napier on Saturday •morning by the Mararpa and wore to arrive at Gisborne in the afternoon. Special arrangements were mode' to take visitors off in the Harbour Board launch, and Miss Bleibtrey was to bo tendered a civic reception, and, later, motor drives. However, the ram at Napier on Saturday apparently discouraged the-visitors, for .at 11.30 a.m. on Saturday an official notification was received that, owing to the weather conditions, Miss Bleibtrey would be unable to face the journey to Gisborne and the trip was cancelled. The roads were ascertained to be in good condition and an offer was made to motor the party through, but the request was refused. The public is much dissatisfied over the whole business, and indignation is expressed at the late notification of the cancellation. Visitors had arranged to be present from many miles distant, including the Urewera Country, Tolaga Bay ,and Tokomaru Bay.® Incidentally, a carnival was held, as arranged, cn Saturday evening in typical summer weather. It was very, warm and there was no wind, but the attendance suffered by Miss Bleibtrey’s absence. The committee of the Swimming Club met on Saturday night, passed the following resolution unanimously, and ordered that it be sent direct to the New Zealand Council: -'That the committee strongly protests against the action .of the official responsible for cancelling Miss Bleibtrey’s visit to Gisborne on the morning. of the cfirnival, when all arrangements, including a civic reception, had -been made, and expenses amounting to JilOO incurred. That failing her appearance .at Gisborne on Saturday, arrangements should have 'been made for Miss Bleibtrey to appear on Monday, Gisborne having a prior right over Hastings_ according to the official notification. Further, that should Miss Bleibtrey not appear at Gisborne before her departure from New Zealand, the committee intends making application to the council for damages to the extent of £l6O, being the cost of erecting seating accommodation, lighting, etc." "