SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 73, 28 March 1933, Page 14

SWIMMING

AUSTRALIAN COACHING

A WELLINGTON HANDICAP

The unique position of Wellington as regards facilities for the training of swimmers was again emphasised at a meeting of the Wellington Swimming Centre last evening. A letter from Mr. J. Enwright concerning a proposal to bring the noted Australian coach, Mr. H. Hay, to New Zealand -was discussed. The terms provide for individual tuition, classes, and weekly engagement by centres or clubs. This introduction of Australian methods and technique would be invaluable to New Zealand swimmers, many of whom are keen, but have no opportunity of be : coming stars because of the difficulty ot obtaining sound coaching on modern lines, j The letter stated that only centres possessing "tepid baths would be considered. This statement led to the comment that Wellington, one of the largest centres of swimming in the Dominion, has again to stand aside in favour of smaller but betterequipped districts, giving further proof that efficient all-weather swimming baths are a necessity no large centre such as Wellington can afford to be without. JUNIOR AGE LIMIT. A i'econrmenda,tion from the Wellington Club that the age limit should be changed in the junior' championships was also discussed. It' was urged that, as the ages for all school sports events were calculated up to the January 1 preceding the competition, it would be logical to do the same with swimming. To compete for the junior championships a boy must be under 14 years of age on October 1 preceding the competition, the same rule applying throughout New Zealand. It was agreed that it would be inconvenient for one centre alone to alter the age limit for the local championships, as some competitors would come under different classifications in the national and local events; and that to alter the junior age limit without interfering with that of the intermediate section would be unfair. A request for the amendment of laws 25 and 36 in tbe handbook, to be submitted to the council at the next meeting, was held over for further discussion at the next meeting of the centre. SCHOOL CERTIFICATES. Details of the amount of money spent in printing and issuing school distance certificates were received from, the association, and, together with the balance-sheet, were discussed freely. The centre requested more details of the amounts devoted to this branch in earlier years, with a view to approaching a Minister as to the possibility of a subsidy. The association noted that the response of the schools to the new scheme, involving the charge of sixpence "for each certificate, was gratifying. It was disclosed that Wellington had received £23 per year some five years ago for the distribution of certificates. Seven games were played by each polo team in the competition, the winners being the Lyall Bay Club, with 6 wins and a draw (13 points), whilst Maranui, with 4 wins, 2 losses (one by default), and a draw, were runriers-up. Next in order were Wellington and University (6 points each), and Hutt and Worser Bay (4 points each). The report from Mr. F. Wilton expressed appreciation of the growing interest shown in the sport, and suggested more games in the future, with a start in December if possible: The thanks of the centre were accorded to Messrs. F. Wilton A. A. Somerville, C. V. /Fordham V Allan, P. F; Coira, and N: N. Oldershaw for their assistance in the running of the polo tournament. DOMINION RECORDS. A report of the meeting of the council on March 9 was read. At this meeting the following New Zealand records were approved:— 220 yards intermediate boys' championship: N. Crump, 2min 2Ssec, at Invercargill, January 28. 220 yards ladies''championship: Miss M Farquhar, 2min 46sec, at'Auckland, February 8. _220 yards men's championship: R. Thomas, 2min 23sec, at Auckland, February 3.

50 yards men's championship: D H fX""??,, 25860' a* Christchurch, February B.' W. Whareaitu, 24 2-ssec, at Napier, February 22." Negotiations for a tour of New Zealand m the 1934 season by a team of Japanese swimmers were commenced. The Wairoa Club was affiliated. The Hawke's Bay Centre was congratulated on its successlul running of the championships. in reply to a final inquiry, the association stated that the projected tour of the Americans, Kurtz and Kalili, was off, in spite of tho Waitemata Club's somewhat belated guarantee for two appearances. One qt the Americans has already booked nis passage home via another route . in/" informal discussion on the raising of funds for the centre, a picture night was suggested. The meeting closed after debating several points connected with the Evans Bay Club, several plans hern* suggested as to future proceedings. OwinS to the Harbour Board's plans for the reclaiming of a portion of the'bay, the club is forced into inactivity at present, though its intentions are,to construct a clubhouse and possibly salt water baths when permission is forthcoming P