SWIMMING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 345, 22 March 1910, Page 3

SWIMMING

(By "Splodge").

it seems as if the swimming season is now .practically over and i understand it is not the intention of the Xew Plymouth Club to hold an/ further races, though, there has been *ome talk of a race for the 100 yds championship of the club. The change in the weatlier has damped the enthusiasm of swimmers appreciably, so that the curtain may well be rung down for the season. I would take this opportunity of congratulating the club's officials and committee on the very excellent manner in which their last sports meeting was run. The system of working out and advertising the times of the start of each race is a new departure, and one that has everything to commend it. This system, coupled 'with the energy of the officials —including, especially the secretary, the starter and the call stewards—in combination with excellent handicapping and good fields, resulted in what is probably the most successful j and interesting sports held in the local •baths.

There is one thing in particular that handicaps the local club, and that is the lack of accommodation at the batlu ter spectators, Without good seating accommodation it cannofc be expected that a meeting will produce a good ''gate." Without money the club cannot prosper, and until i*- prospers it cannot a>bly assist in making the Laths as■popular as tlioy should. U an ,i j„ helping to turn them into a source oi' revenue to the borough. I know well that there are no baths in New Zealand that do pay—there are very few in the world that do, so far as I can learn, tout I think that if the Baths Committee could see their 'way to recommend tlie erection of reasonable seating accommodation the club and swimmers generally would be prepared to assist in that direction either by way of guarantee or increased percentage 011 the takings at the gates. Could I add here | that a fjw weeks ago at Hawera the gate at the ladies' sports amounted to

£2l and that at two meetings flhe men's club took something like £3O. We could not accommodate a £2O

"house." There is another matter on which I have heard discussion with regard to the baths. On account of there being hut one tunnel for letting out and letting in the water, and on account of this tunnel running into a-small hay, it happens that a quantity oi the water let out of the baths each day returns with the tide, unless the direction of the wind causes a rush of water away from the outer opening of the tunnel. The question arises as to whether a tunnel at the western end of the -baths would be worth the cost of building; would a six-inch pipe at that end suit the purpose? it must, however, be admitted that with the baths being emptied every day, and with a painstaking caretaker, they are always very clean.

This season has been a most successful one for the New Plymouth Club, ami, indeed, lor New Zealand generally. With regard to swimming in New Zealand generally I vvill only remark that new records were made at the championship meeting for every distance except the 100 yds, and that the Dominion oiow, possesses the holder of a world's record—an unprecedented circumstance. With regard to local swimming, the most pleasing feature has been the in- : creased number of competitors in the races as well as an increased membership in the club, and consequently an increased interest. in the sport. The [ favorable weather, of course, would ac- [ count for this to a large extent. But there are other causes. The newer members instituted races among themselves—sort of second-class handicaps. A new team entered for the polo competition, which resulted in nine sir" 1 -' matches being played—as against tv. last year—and also two exhibition games at sports. The standard oi play is much better than it has been previously, especially with regard to the num. ber of players who are now thoroughly conversant with the rules of the game and fairly capable exponents of it also. I have the authority of one wlio ought to know, who was present at the New Zealand championships last month, to say that had the best team gone up from here they must have landed the banner—that is, on present form and accidents. The institution of relay races' was another factor in the success of the season; and the revival of the mile championship, consequent on the generosity of the donor of a cup for the event, materially assisted towards the success of the season. I have heard that a second prize for the mile has been promised for next season, and the race is welfworth it.