OTAGO SWIMMING CENTRE

Evening Star, Issue 19792, 16 February 1928, Page 11

OTAGO SWIMMING CENTRE

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS PROFIT , PRAISE FOR LOCAL BODY High praise for the manner in which the Otago Centre conducted the New Zealand, swimming championships was .conveyed from the New Zealand Council at last night’s meeting of the Otago Centre, which was attended by the chairman (Mr J. L. M'lndoe) and Messrs W. Jenkins, E. G. James, E. C. Isaacs, D. Bannatyne, E. H. James, A. Knights, and C. B. Lewis. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. The Secretary of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association wrote conveying a resolution congratulating the Otago Centre on the splendid manner in which it had conducted the recent New Zealand championship meeting. The many improvements which were introduced this year were the subject of favorable comment, and the council had decided to endeavor to see that they would be a permanent feature of future championship meetings. “ This is very satisfactory, ami reflects great credit on the championship secretary (Mr E. G. James),” said the Chairman, who added that Mr James had done a tremendous amount of work in connection with tho championship meeting. “The financial results of the New Zealand championships are more satisfactory than was anticipated at first,” said the Chairman, “ and after one or two adjustments there remains a net surplus on tho meeting of £47.” In addition to this amount there were actual assets amounting to £49 10s, so that in a properly-drawn-up balancesheet there would really be shown a profit on tho meeting of £96 10s. Ho thought there would have been a greater profit had the attendance, though it was fairly satisfactory, been as large as it was in 1921. Tho reasons for the greater patronage in 1921, he thought, were that money was_ then more plentiful, and that many did not come to the carnivals because of the poor accommodation upstairs. While downstairs was full every night, there was always room upstairs, where only those in the front row could get a good view of the swimming. The centre should make strong representations to the council to improve the accommodation upstairs. It might be possible for the council to get a piece of land next tho baths before the New Zealand championships were again _ held here, and then the accommodation on one side could bo extended back. Mr E. H. James said that tho time was coming when tho council would have to consider the '"advisability of putting in a smaller pool for learners. It was resolved to grant the New Zealand championship secretary (Mr E. G. James) a honorarium of £ls. WATER POLO COMPETITION. Announcement that a handsome dark blue banner with gold lettering had been presented to the centre for interclub water polo competition by Mr Donald Stuart was made by Mr Jenkins, the Chairman expressing the gratitude of the centre at Mr Stuart’s generosity. It was decided to write thanking Mr Stuart for his handsome gift. CARNIVAL IN MARCH. Mr Isaacs referred to the desire of the centre making an effort on behalf of tho Olympic Fund, especially as Miss Miller had been nominated for the New Zealand team by tho Dominion Swimming Council, and he moved —“ That a swimming carnival be held towards the end of March for the purpose of raising funds to forward to the New Zealand Swimming Council to augment the moneys for the despatch of swimmers to the Olympic Games.” Mr Bannatyne seconded the motion, which was carried, it being decided to hold the carnival on Saturday night, March 31. GENERAL. Congratulatory reference to the splendid performance of the Otago swimmer, Miss Kathlce Miller, at the New South Wales championships was made by the chairman, who said that had Miss Slider’s time for the 440yds been registered in New Zealand it would have broken Miss Shand’s record by 4 l-10sec, and had she had anyone to extend her in this country she would have accomplished the feat here. On behalf of the centre a cable had been despatched to Miss Miller congratulating her and Miss Ena Stockley on their performances. The Ravensbourno Regatta Committee wrote applying for permission to hold swimming races at its regatta on March 3. The programme would probably be the same as last year, which was as follows:—soyds local boys, 50yds local girls, interclub relay race, 100yds open, 50yds schoolboys, and 100yds breast-stroke.—Permission was granted, Messrs M'lndoe,, E. G. James, and Bannatyne being appointed to control the swimming programme.

Advice was received from the council of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association notifying that the council approved of tho formation of a centre in Southland, and had instructed the secretary to take the necessary steps to have the centre formed.