STRATFORD SWIMMING CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 25, 28 January 1913, Page 5

STRATFORD SWIMMING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Stratford Swimming Club was held last evening, when the President (Dr. Carbery) presided over a very meagre attendance of the public. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which have already been published in our columns, Dr. Carbery stated that financially the club was in a very satisfactory position, but at the same time there seemed to be a lack of interest displayed by swimmers. At a time like this, when the public was confronted with so many sad fatalities by drowning, it made people wonder why so much attention was paid to the “useless” in sport, when that which counted so much in the life of man—the power to save himself and others from a dreadful death—was put in the background. Anyone who had given any thought to the matter must see that the most common form of fatality in New Zea- * land was death by drowning, and so many of these tragedies could have been averted by a little more skill on the part of those concerned. The speaker felt that they—those who could swim, and swim well—had neglected their opportunities, by not imparting to others the powers they had of disporting themselves in the water. Dr. Carbery referred to the fact that the ladies had been mere enthusiastic in regard to the use of the baths, than had the men, and remarked that ( every morning at such an early hour as five o’clock,, five or six lades attended for a swim. The speaker said he could speak with authority of the great beneficial effects the swimming had had upon their general physique. He had known these young ladies in their childhood, when many of them were weakly children, but they had developed into fine, healthy, upstanding girls. It was indeed a great pity that the Swimming Club had not been more successful than in the past. The very fact of having a swimming c’ub which held sports, must cf necessity inspire others to learn to «wim, and to become proficient in a most useful accomplishment. The Mayor, in seconding the motion, endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks. He thought that they should call another meeting, get more people to attend, and put the Club cn a firmer basis. The fact that • the an- , nual meeting was so sparsely attend!" ed showed that there was not the ii}taken in the Club that there should' be. Mr. Kirkwood referred to the value of a little expert knowledge In saving the lives of people apparently drowned. , 1

The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. Officers were elected for the ensuing year as follows: —President, Mr. Joseph McCluggage; vice-president?, Messrs. W. P. Kirkwood, F. A. Tjrer, -Malpne, .J rVl ,ar,jl King; committee, Messrs. F. M. Marlow, D. Findlay, F. Masters, J. Staples, Rutherford, Young, and Dr. Carbery; handicapper,'Mr. C. E. Seabright; hon. auditor, Mr. C. H. Potts; delegate to the centre, Mr. F. K. Turnbull.

The appointment of other officers was left to the committee, the secretary, Mr. R. H. Kivell, agreeing to act in his present capacity in the meanwhile.

The Chairman ■ moved that it be a recommendation to the committee to form a ladies’ committee, with the view’ of holding a meeting exclusively for ladies.—Carried.

Votes of thanks ilere passed to the donors of prizes, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood, Mr. Jonas Masters, and others. The annual subscription was fixed at 2s 6d. ,

It was decided to hold the first meeting of the committee on Monday next.