SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 122, 19 November 1932, Page 20

SWIMMING

By "Header" STATE GRANT

RESULT OF WITHDRAWAL

CHILDREN TO PAY

Opening Days.—Maranui, 19th November; "Wellington Ladies' Club, 26th November; Worser Bay, 3rd December; Wellington Centre, 10th December; Wellington Club, 10th. December.

f The decision of the New Zealand '. - Council to levy a charge of sixpence , 3 for the issue of certificates is.one that ' i will not meet with approval throughout ' i the Dominion, but it serves to indicate - to what extent the work of the assoei- ' , ation amongst school children is hinder- 1 J ed by the loss of the Government grant. < - As has been previously stated, educa- "" • tional work has been at almost a stand- : E still through lack of funds, and, but ' J for the generosity of educational offi- ' | cers and a few individuals, would have ; 1 ceased: altogether. The position arose : that it was hopeless to expect to carry • on without finance, and in order .to ] r gain the necessary yearly amount -rep quired.the New Zealand Association endeavoured to secure a permit for the • conducting of an art union similar to that granted to other organisations. . Strong representations were.made to- , ward this end, but the best that could 3 be got was the inclusion, with some , twelve other bodies, in a participation \ of the profits of such an art union, \ with, a set amount as the share. This . 3 amount (£300) has been received by , the council, but when.it is stated that | the yearly amount of expenditure equals that figure, it will be obvious 3 that this sum would be eaten up in 3 no time, and that the educational work . would be in the same precarious state . as that pertaining when the grant was 3 withdrawn. In the minds of swimming j authorities, the treatment received was 3 unfair in so far that many of the j organisations who benefited largely 1 from art unions could not beeonsider--3 ed as rendering a public service equal to that of the swimming association, • whoso main work was centred in school children, thousands of whom were taught to swim' through the efforts' of the association- and their voluntary workers. One realises the necessity for Government economy, but it may be a false economy if the,lives of; children are jeopardised. The numbers of deaths from drowning in New Zealand are higher than they should be, and it was through the efforts of the .educational and practical work of the'association that the figures were being diminished. To hinder this work to the extent of its almost abolition calls for serious attention, and the opportunity of helping this valuable work was one that should have received greater recognition from the Government instead of being classed on the same, or lesser footing, of A. and P. associations and the like. In arriving at its decision to charge for school children 's certificates, the New Zealand Council found that there was no other alternative offering. The old policy was useless without State support, and if anything was to be . done at all, such measures would have to be self-supporting. Provision is made for the free issue to those children whose circumstances do not permit of any payment being made, but in these times most will come under this category, and it will probably be a difficult matter for centres to arrange finance to keep the issue of certificates going. The same few old enthusiasts will no doubt shoulder the responsibility which is morally that of the State. , Club Event for Opening Day. Following the procedure of last season, the local centre ib asking affiliated clubs to stage a club event on 3 the opening day, 10th December, at Te 1 Aro Baths. Some good racing was wit- - nessed last year, and, the same should d apply again. '■' The New Handicapper. - B Mr. K. Mclntyre, sen., who has been c appointed handicapper to the centre, is , an enthusiastic follower of the sport, £ and has done much to assist tho Hutt j. Valley Club, with whom he has been associated since its inception. His task is no easy one, but he has had previous experience, and the capable i manner in which it was carried out, t together with his conscientious methods, • render him eminently suited for the ' position. His appointment will meet 1 with favour among swimmers. ' r Hutt Valley Club. y The Hutt Valley Club commences its i weekly club night on Tuesday next - with the usual series of events for all .-■ classes of members. If suitable arranget ments can be made, an interclub carnii val will be staged before Christmas, 1 probably on 13th December. ? Lyall Bay Opening. The Lyall Bay Club experienced the ; usual gusty weather for its opening i day, but this did not prevent .a fine - attendance of members. : Proceedings s were along the formal lines adopted by - the club, whose members are anticipatE ing a good season. A commencement - will jbe made shortly with the weekly t racing. i ■ - . ■ ~ . A. new club is likely to come into ■, being this year.. This will be the - V.M.C.A. Club, and it is expected it ;. will be a strong body. It is many years since a club functioned. under" the V.M.C.A;, but at. one time much inter- ~ est was shown in this direction, and ? members were prominent in all branches of the sport. "Pat" Hanna, now well known in theatrical circles, was actively , connected with the old club, and will be pleased to hear of its revival, especially if it runs to a water polo team.