SWIMMING TOPICS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 188, 29 October 1927, Page 10

SWIMMING TOPICS

MILFORD SURF CLUB EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS All things considered the support accorded the essential branch of swimming, that of life-saving, does not meet with the importance of the question. It will be freely admitted that life-saving must necessarily play a big part in natation. It is all very well to be able to swim, but what of the knowledge that makes it possible to save human life? There is at least one live body in Auckland—or Takapuna—that of the Milford Surf Club, which, for three years has struggled along doing excellent work against great odds. This club possesses enterprise and should come under the notice of all swimming clubs and those interested in the art. At present, and since its inception, the club lias been compelled to make use of a boat-shed for its gear. There is a section available on the beach, but it is the property of the Takapuna Borough Council. So far the council has not entertained any Idea of permitting the club to use it, but that may be because the importance of the question has been overlooked. While the council is making no use of the section it may be an excellent plan to lease it at a small rental to this club which could make such good use of it. Life-saving, and the means to learn the art, will, no doubt, appeal to members of the council, as being of vital importance. They will realise that this club is virtually making the beaches safe for the children, and it would indeed be a matter of courtesy if the council would meet the requests for the section. If the club were to make further overtures, it is quite possible that the council will go further into the question, and in so doing it would be giving a concrete indication of its realisation of the good work being done by the club. EDUCATIONAL SWIMMING The report submitted to the annual meeting of the Auckland Centre last night by Mr. L. Brighton, educational officer, is a gratifying one, and shows that the educational side of swimming is making rapid strides. “I think I am quite justified in feeling proud of the work that has been done,” he said, and during the past season almost everyone has co-oper-ated to bring about the satisfactory results obtained. Although the results achieved are good, I do not think that this centre has reached the pinnacle of success. Notwithstanding that the past season has proved a record one. I am still of the opinion that Auckland with its facilities should, and can be, the premier province as far as the issuing of school children’s certificates is concerned. To show an advance of over 917 certificates on the previous year and an advance of over 617 on the previous record is undoubtedly an achievement to feel proud of, but once again I am quite confident tjiat this centre can still do better, and with further agitation I am quite confident that next year’s educational officer will create a record for the Dominion. “The Dargaville Club, the only energetic country club, is to be congratulated on the work that it is doing. “It has been working under the educational system only three years and the results have been wonderful. It is a great pity that the other country clubs do not follow suit and realise the advantages that can be passed on to the school children of their districts. To the Dargaville Club I convey the Auckland Centre’s best wishes for future prosperity. “To Mr. H. Moore, centre and Mount Eden Club’s secretary, great credit is

due for the time that he spent in Supervising the swimming of the children of his district. His co-opera-tion has greatly helped to produce Auckland’s record. “The Ponsonby Club is still engaging Professor Anderson to instruct the children of the western district and as in the past the results have been wonderful. The Ponsonby Club last year issued their own certificates to any child who could swim 25 yards, and this scheme has proved a great success. This season 698 children managed to swim the 25 yards and undoubtedly next year they will qualify for the council’s certificates.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all those who took an interest in the school children, and I trust that this year many more schools will make application for swimming certificates.”