CHAIRMAN RESIGNS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1000, 17 June 1930, Page 10

CHAIRMAN RESIGNS

SWIMMING CENTRE HEAD AND “HYPOCRITES” DISPUTE WITH CUSTODIAN A serious breach in swimming affairs in Auckland was brought to a head last evening with the resig"at.on from the chairmanship of the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association of Mr. J. Enwricjht, for years prominent as a valuable executive officer and a competitor in the sport. Mr. Enwright, who was until recently a leading official of the Waitemata Club, was followed by three \A aitemata delegates, Messrs. D. B. Mulvihill, L. E. Kenny and 33. V. Cunnold, when he left the meeting room “I have no alternative but to dissociate myself for ever from the Auckland Swimming Centre,” Mr. Enwright told the meeting emphatically. He made this statement after intense discussion took place, following the introduction by Mr. R. B. Hardy, representative of the University College Club, of the dispute stated to exist between the Waitemata Club and Mr. Malcolm Champion, the City Council’s bath superintendent. "It hurts me to sit here with men, who by their actions tonight, have shown themselves to be hypocrites,” declared Mr. Enwright. Mr. Hardy referred to statements that the dispute was between Mr. Champion and the swimming community. ITis own club had been assisted considerably by Mr. Champion, and, should most of the swimmers of the City not agree with the attitude of the W aitemata Club, the position should, in fairness to the superintendent, be explained. CENTRE NOT CONCERNED Mr. Enwright held the view that the centre was not concerned in the dispute, which was simply between Mr. Champion and tho Waitemata Club. This view was criticised by Mr. G Foy, Mount Eden, who said Mr. J. r! Lundon had informed the City Council that there was deep-seated difference between swimmers and Mr. Champion. It had been further inferred that Mr. Champion had led members of the W aitemata Club to go over to Mount Eden Club, and Mount Eden would require an assurance from the AVaitemata delegates that they did not subscribe to this belief. It was to be regretted that such damaging remarks had been made by a man not concerned with swimming.

Mr. Mulvihill: No one in the Waitemata Club gave Mr. Lundon information officially.

The belief that swimmers generally were antagonistic to Mr. Champion should bei dispelled, in the view of Mr. Prust Stewart, Ponsonby. Mr. Stewart moved that the centre dissociate itself from the Waitemata attitude. Mr. Enwright called Mr. Kenny and Mr. J. F. Curtayne, North Shore, to order, following an argument, and then declared that he would not allow himself to be influenced by personal feelings. If Waitemata had proof that Mr. Champion had been acting against it, then Mr. Champion had been acting against the interests of swimming. Mr. Hardy mentioned the seriousness of allowing the CitV Council to remain under a false impression. An amendment moved by the chairman was to the effect that the City Council should be asked to postpone its decision on the question of coaching rights at the Tepid Baths, and subjects affecting that aspect, until the centre had discussed the situation thoroughly. His amendment was lost and Mr. Stewart's motion dissociating the centre from the Waitemata attitude was carried. Only Mr. Enwright and the three Waitemata delegates opposed the motion. “HYPOCRITES" Upon this development, Mr. Enwright declared that he would not be connected with the centre again. He regretted that opportunity had not been given a club to prove its case. He had been told by many delegates that Mr. Champion was antagonistic to Waitemata, and the only conclusion he could draw was • that some delegates had shown themselves to be hypocrites. He had lost confidence in the centre. When Mr. Enwright and the Waitemata delegates retired, Mr. Stewart said he regretted the breach, but it was not for a club to tell a public body that one of its employees should be disrated. Mr. Champion was a capable man. His motion had not debarred Waitemata from bringing its complaints to the centre.

Appreciation of Mr. Enwright’s services to swimming in New Zealand and Auckland was recorded, and he will be invited to reconsider his decision. Mr. Enwright has been for many years one of New Zealand's most consistent swimmers, in sprints and longdistance events. At last New Zealand championships he won the Annette Kellerman Cup for distance swimming. He was prominent last season for his work in elevating water polo to a strong position as an aquatic sport in Auckland.