SWIMMING CENTRE

Evening Star, Issue 23701, 8 October 1940, Page 4

SWIMMING CENTRE

SUCCESSFUL SEASON MR W. A. JENKINS AGAIN PRESIDENT A highly successful season of activity, referred to as the most outstanding since the inception of the centre over 34 years ago, was reviewed at the annual meeting of the Otago Swimming Centre last night, at which Mr IV. A. Jenkins was elected president for the tenth successive vear. Moving the adoption of the annual report, Mr Jenkins said Hint the centre had never been in such a happy position financially. This was due especially to the helpers at Iho St. Hilda carnival, and particularly to Hie efforts of Messrs G. H. Peat, J. M’Taggart, and C. J Lecden. The " learn to swim ” campaigns sponsored by tho centre had been taken up enthusiastically by the country clubs, especially Balclntha, which had shown much initiative. Tho local clubs had shown particular aptitude in the teaching of children to swim and in their efforts on behalf of Hie crippled children. The coaching that was given to the young members of the clubs was collected in the success of the Otago intermediate and junior team in carrying off tho War Memorial Sheld at tho Now Zealand Centennial intermediate and junior championships, which had been so successfully controlled by tho centre. Otago had also won the Yaldhurst Shield and the water poio trophy at the national championships, and tho play of the water polo team had been a revelation to the representatives of other centres who were present, the work of the coach (Mr D. F. Watson) calling for high praise. The Wellington Centro had been unfortunate in the weather it experienced, and this bad illustrated what a mistake it was to hold national championships in a pool which was not covered in. Referring to the difficulties being experienced by many of the country clubs, which had been hard hit by the war, Mr Jenkins said he could assure them the centre would do all in its power to assist them to carry on. During the year arrangements had been completed for tho holding annually of an interprovincial contest between Otago and Southland, for which it was hqped a trophy would be provided by tho Southland Amateur Sports Trust. Mr Brown seconded the motion, and endorsing tho remarks of the previous speaker. Mr W. P. Watson said that the season had been the most outstanding in the history of the centre, financially and from the point of view of swimming competition. Tho motion was carried. The balance sheet was presented by the treasurer (Mr F. E. L. Forrester) and adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS.

The election of office-bearers resulted;— Patron, Mr J. L. MTndoe; president, Mr W. A. Jenkins; deputy-chairman, Mr S. Brown; vice-presidents—Messrs S, Brown, W. H. Matthews J. M’Taggart, D. F. Watson, A. Greig, E. H. James, U. Walker, G. H. Peat, D. Thomson, D. Pickard, D. C. Bannatyne, and C. J. Leeden; secretary, Mr E. C. Isaacs; treasurer, Mr F. E. L. Forrester; auditor, Mr N. M. Sutherland; starter, Mr W. A. Jenkins; handicapper, Mr D. Pickard; educational officer, Mr D. C. Bannatyne; delegate to New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, Mr A. T. F. Stokes; property stewards, Messrs J. M’Taggart and G. H. Peat; local officer, Mr D. F. Watson; water polo coaches, Messrs D, F. Watson and D. C. Bannalyne; water polo selectors, Messrs D. F. Watson, D. C. Bannatyne, and M. Taylor; Water Polo Match Committee—Messrs D. F. Watson, D. C. Bannatyne, and representatives of other clubs to be appointed; record clerks, Messrs L. R. M’lntosh and P. R. Nicol; hon. solicitors, Messrs C. J. L. White and I. L. .Turnbull. OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIPS. It was decided to hold the Otago championships on December 10 and 12, and the Batt Cup harbour race at Macandrew Bay on Saturday, January 18.CLUB RETURNS. Club returns were made as follows: — Kiwi, 273 (comprised of 58 senior members, 40 intermediates, and 175 juniors); Balclutha, 153 (10 seniors, 25 intermediates, 128 juniors); Owaka, 23 (15 seniors and 8 intermediates) ; Dunedin, 142 (30 seniors, 11 intermediates, and 101 juniors); Otago University, 10 (10 declared senior members); Roxburgh, 25 (7 seniors, 5 intermediates, and 13 juniors); Oamaru, 62 (25 seniors, 21 intermediates, and 18 juniors); Taieri, 47 (22 seniors, 20 intermediates, and 5 juniors); Kaikorai, 52 (15 seniors, 7 intermediates, 30 juniors); Zenith, 103 (2 seniors and 101 juniors). NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

The New Zealand Council advised that the men’s national championships had been abandoned. The council, having taken the opinion of centres and surveyed the present position, came to the conclusion that it was hopeless to attempt to proceed with these events. The ladies’ and junior and intermediate championships were to be combined, and the value would be decided by the conference of centres to be held at Wellington on October 26 and 28, at which also the compulsory dives for the ladies’ championship would bo selected. CLUB CARNIVALS.

The Taieri Club was granted permission to hold its annual carnival on February 8, and the Kiwi Club’s application to hold an intermediate and junior club carnival on November 21 was also approved. The Balclutha Club was granted permission to hold carnivals on December 7 and February 22. COUNCIL OF SPORT.

Mr Jenkins reported on the meeting of sports bodies which had been held to consider the formation of a Council of Sport, and the meeting decided to approve of its formation and to do all it could to further the project. RECORD PERFORMANCE.

The performance of Miss Ngaire Lane of 35 4-sscc for 50yds back stroke was passed as an Otago junior girls’ record, and the secretary’s action in making application for it to be recognised as equalling the New Zealand record was approved. COUNTRY CLUBS CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. At the annual conference of delegates of country clubs, which was held yesterday afternoon, a recommendation was carried that the country clubs’ championship meeting this season be held at Dunedin. The meeting was presided over by the president of the "Otago Centre (Mr W. A. Jenkins), and others present were Messrs D. Thomson and S. Brown (Oamaru), G. M’Bride and 0. Baing (Balclutha), D. Pickard (Alexandra), U. Walker and J. MTaggart (Owaka). and the secretary of the centre (Mr is. C. Isaacs) The Chairman referred to the success of the last country clubs’ championship meeting, which had been so excellently controlled by the Balclutha Club. The entries had been the best to dale and competition the keenest, and ho expressed appreciation of the Balclutha Club’s hospitality. He had visited all but one of the Otago country clubs and fully realised the difficulties they wore experiencing because of the war. He assured them that the Otago Centre would do all it could to assist them in continuing their activities..

A motion, moved by Mr M‘Taggart, was carried that it be a recommendation to the centre that in view of the transport difficulties tbo country clubs’ championship meeting which had previously been allotted to tbo Alexandra Club be held at Dunedin on Saturday evening, January 25. It was decided to add junior boys - and girls’ championships, these in each case to consist of 50yds free style, 50yds breast stroke, and diving (standing header from one-metre board and one voluntary with points for difficulty). It was also decided to include the following handicap events: —66 2-3yds free style, 60 2-3yds back stroke, and 66 2-3yds breast stroke.

The dives for the ladies’ and intermediate championships were fixed as follows: Standheader from the throe-metre hoard and running header from the one-mctve board ami two voluntaries, with points for difficulty

Tt was resolved to .carry on “ learn to swi’o ” campaigns in the country wherever possible.