Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 1, No. 2. March 16, 1938
Her Views on Swimming and Mr. Coira's Wart
Her Views on Swimming and Mr. Coira's Wart
Those who were fastidious enough to attend a recent swimming club weekly meeting were given a unique treat. The committee had arranged for Miss Mona Leydon, New Zealand's 440 and 220 yards woman champion to be present. Miss Leydon swam in a 220 scratch invitation race and a 100 yards backstroke race, winning both in face of stiff opposition from picked men from the University and Hut; Clubs. "Salient" interviewed Miss Ley don and her interim chaperon, Mr. P. Coira.
"I suppose you want to know my age and place of birth?" smiled Mr. Coira.
"And any birthmarks." suggested "Salient."
"Well." said Mr. Coira. "I do possess a most unusual birthmark. Look!" Mr. Coirs poked out his tongue.
"Salient" gazed goggle-eyed.
"Yes," said Mr. Coira: "wart on the tongue. There's only one other person in New Zealand's got that."
"What is your relation to Miss Leydon?" asked "Salient"
"Don't be lewd!" replied Mr. Coira. "As a matter of fact. I'm the North Island representative of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. Part of my job is to meet all these damn swimmers and look after them while they're in the village."
"Miss Leydon's success is due to consistent training and consistent endeavour. One of her legs is, as you know, paralysed, and after taking up swimming as a curative measure, she managed, despite this grave disability, to become New Zealand's premier lady swimmer."