THE ART OF SWIMMING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2495, 7 May 1909, Page 5

THE ART OF SWIMMING.

EULOGISTIC SPEECHES AT CHRISTCHURCH. [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, May 6. At the Sydenham School this afternoon. Mr. j. I). Hall presented the Sir Joint' Hall challenge shield for proficiency in the art of saving life from drowning, which will be annually competed for, and which was won this year bv a team from the Sydenham School. He also presented each of the four members of the team.with a gold medal. In the course of his address lie said that one thing that had led his father to present the shield was that he could not swim himself, and the first thing his children had to learn was to acquire the art of swimming. It was a good tiling for the boys and girl's to be able to swim. It enabled them to rescue human lives, and they should endeavor to attain proficiency in the art. It wast a most valuable exercise that anyone could indulge in. It exercised everv muscle, and there was no time so appropriate for such exercise as in one s youth; In after years they wouid be g’ad that they had, by tins means, made themselves strong and healthy. Mr. Walter Johnson, representing the Swimming Association, said t?iat the work done bv the Sydenham team which had won the shield stood as a record not only for New Zealand, lint also for the world. No school and no body of men, under the conditions governing the competition, could have done better. The Sydenham team had complied with the same conditions <s apViod to adult competitors, and 't vas libdilv creditable to them that they had- gained such a superior record ot marks. The work they did was s mpl> marvellous. .