SWIMMING CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1922, Page 7

SWIMMING CLUB.

PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY. MISS KELLERMAN’S ADVICE. At a social gathering held by the New Plymouth Swimming Club on Wednesday night, the prizes won during the season just ended were presented by Miss Annette Kellerman. The chairman of the committee, Mr. F. J. Eggleton, presided. Apologies were received from a number of persons, including Dr. Walker (president of the Club), and Mr. A. R. Standish, president of the Life Saving centre. A toast list was honored during the evening, opening with the Loyal toast. The toast of “Our Visitors,” coupled with the names, of Miss Kellerman and Mr. J. Sullivan was enthusiastically received.

In the course of a summary of the season’s operations, which, he said, had been a very successful one in every way, the chairman stated that the membership of the club had increased by 52. Four successful carnivals were held during the season. Some excellent trophies had been provided and these were much appreciated. Reference was also made to the good work done by the secretary (Mr. K. Stehr) and the treasurer (Mr. Shearer), and the hope was expressed that next season both the work of the club and the Life Saving Society -would be pushed forward with greater interest. The chairman said he thought the time had come when they should have tepid baths, in order to help along the sport. The work of the Ladies’ Life Saving Club was referred to by various speakers, and high praise was bestowed on Misses Dowling and Mather, respectively president and secretary, for the great interest they had taken in the work. Mention was made of the fact that the club had started a physical culture class for the winter with an attendance of 22 on the opening night. The response to the toast was made by Miss Mather. Reference to the growth of swimming as a sport in New Zealand was made by Miss Kellerman in the course of some remarks given in her characteristic free, but sincere style. She assured those present that she had not seen a country which had made such progress in swimming as New Zealand, and was particularly enthusiastic over the achievements of Misses Hoeft and Shand. She was disappointed these two young ladies had not gone to Australia. for she thought they would have “licked the ‘Aussies’”, and had offered to meet the expenses of one of the swimmers for the trip across. Miss Kellerman was also impressed with the enthusiasm shown at the Wellington championships and was sure swimming had come to stay in New Zealand. One thing was necessary, namely, tepid baths, in order to give a swimmer practice all the year round. She urged the club to keep on plugging at this question. The necessity of helping along young swimmers by coaching was strongly urged by the speaker, who pointed out the example of the Americans, by whom much attention was given to this work. The three-mile race at Wellington for the Kellerman Cup was one of the biggest thrills she had had. She said long distance swimming was the best sport for all-round development, and she advised strict adherence to one rule, namely, that in such races a swimmer should stick to the one stroke right through. Miss Kellerman concluded by thanking the club for their kindness and by expressing appreciation at the reception she had met with in New Zealand. The presentation of prizes followed. Winners of the various trophies were: Life Saving Tabor Shield, Old Boys team, D. Sykes (captain), R. Morrison, H. Rickard, T. Foden, W. Brown, I. McHardy, and R. Howell; Club Championship and Dalgleish points prize, I. McHardy; Ribbon Dive, D. Sykes; Dalgleish Cup and gold medal. T. Foden; Diving. B. Wilson; Grey Cup relay race, Old Boys’ team captained by A. Blennerhassett. As the life saving team received their medals much amusement was caused when Miss Kellerman congratulated the “baby” of the team and kissed the sturdy young swimmer. The toast of the custodian of the baths (Mr. P. Mathieson) was made the opportunity for many references to the great help given by Mr. Mathieson in the cause of swimming.

Thanks were expressed to the various officials of the club, including the timekeepers, starters, and handicappers, and to Mr. V. Dalgleish for generous donations.