SWIMMING CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5354, 21 November 1928, Page 2

SWIMMING CLUB.

THE INAUGURAL OPENING. A SUCCESSFUL NIGHT. The inaugural opening qf the Paejroa Amateur Swimming Club took place at the Public Baths last night. There was a large attendance of members and also the public, who wqre much interested in the proceedings of the evening. Just at 8 o’clock the president, Mr W. D. Nicholas, in his opening address, heartily welcomed the citizens at thq inaugural opening. On behalf of t'he club he thanked His Worship the Mayor, and councillors tor the manner in which thev had received the application by the c.lub for, the use of the baths on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The objects of the club were, firstly, the instruction and encouragement of swimming and natatorial sport, and, secondly, the study and practice of the methods of life-saving as taugiht by the Royal Life Saving Soc.iety. In connection with sport, he said that the club had received an offer from a Hikutaia resident to teach the club members water polo, and if this could be accomplished the public might lobk forward to seeing the game played local|v. He understood that the Cambridge Club intended to qnter a water polo 4eam this season. Already several members of the club had promised their services free as swimming ‘instructors, so that those who could not swim neied have no fear about joining the club. When the club was first formed and it .was decided to join the south Auckland Swimming Centre it was not known thaf athlet s running for cash prizes would be debarred from joining the club. But this was the case, and consequently several runners had to withdraw from the club, while some othqqs intended to apply for reinstatement as amateurs.

The club hoped to run some carnivals this year, but unless the matter of seating accommodation, could be financed by the borough it would be a very difficult and unprofitable venture. As an encouragement the 44'0yds South Auckland- Centre Championship had been allotted to this club for competition, and there was also a, possibility of getting other events. Now that the club was formed, swimming proficiency certificates could be issued .to schoolchildren. There was the learner’s certificate, for those who proficiently swim 50 yards ; the second certificate was fqr, those who qualify over a distance of 220yds. and the third certificate was the award for those proficient enough to swim a distance of 880yds. This would no doubt be an encouragement tq’ the children to begin with, said the president, but he predicted that they would not bg content to stay at that, and there was no reason why Paeroa should nqt produce a champion swimmer. He mentioned that Paero.a athletes at various times had been quite in thq limelight in running, fcjotball, and shooting circles.

The speaker thanked Messrs Masters, F. Williams, and G. S. Taiboys fpr trophies. Others, he said, had intimated that they would help when a tciur,namqn.t was being arranged, and t'heir names would) be announced later. He appealed to the members to be loyal to their club and to preserve; the bath and property, which, after all, was their own.

Mr Nichojas then called upon Miss M. Cocks, the only lady member of the committee, to open the club by taking the first dive.

After, the baths had been declared open several racing qvents were decided, and Miiss M. Cocks and some male members of .tflie club gave an exhibition ctf Corfu and fancy diving. Members were to some extent shy with their entries, but nevertheless the events were quite interesting. The 33 l-3,vils for ladiep was wqn fby Miss M. Cocks, with Miss I. Da r e second, and the race for girls, over the same distance, was won by Miss F. McDonald, with Miss D. Cocks second. The 33 l-3yds men’s race was Won by D. Fraser, with A- Clowes second, and in the; 66 2-3yds event for. men D. Fraser was first and L. E. McDonald secqnd.