N.Z. FIRST TO WIN.

EMPIRE GAMES OPEN

J. W. Savidan Breaks Record in

Six-Mile Flat Race.

HIGHLY POPULAR VICTORY.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

TORONTO, August 17.

The Empire Games were opened yesterday at Hamilton, Ontario, in ideal -weather. First there -was an inaugural flourish of pageantry and an expression of good wishes from the sport-loving world.

The Governor-General, Viscount Willingdon, officiated and the Prime Minister, Mr. R. B. Bennett, and the Premier of Ontario, Mr. G. H. Ferguson, were also present.

Messages were read from King George, the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Derby and others. Percy Williams, of Vancouver, the Olympic sprint champion, was chosen to represent the competitors of all countries at the taking of the Olympic oath, surrounded by flags, including the Union Jack and 10 other emblems of the British nations.

' New Zealand had the first win of the day, when J. W. Savidan (Auckland) beat all the opposition easily in the sixmiles event, and set a new Canadian record. His plodding persistence in pace was heart-breaking to his rivals. " His time was a little more than a minute above the world's record.

Not until the third mile did the New Zealander •go into the lead and was never again headed. He never faltered and finished strongly with increased .speed, heading Harper to the tape by a good 150 yds.

Of the four events in which the finals were reached yesterday afternoon England won two first places, three seconds and two thirds. Her athletes also showed outstanding super-, iority ' in the preliminary heats. New Zealand took one event and Canada .one. Three

new Canadian re-

cords were set up, in the six-mile run, 440 yards hurdles and hop, step and jump-

While considerable comment was caused, by the withdrawal-' of. the Australian and South African competitors from the hurdle race heats without explanation, Savidaors victory was greeted with satisfaction as a remarkable triumph by the 15,000 spectators. His and Lord Burghley's showings were the most popular of- the day.

Sports writers from, all over the North American continent state that the achievement of both athletes was outstanding. One correspondent telegraphed to his paper as follows: —"Perhaps those who dedicated the games earlier in' the day could regard these results, namely, the victories of a.nobleman and a, builder, as typical examples of the spirit and the interest which they hope will pervade these contests." Race Results. The result of the six-miles flat race was:—Savidan (New Zealand), 1; Harper (England), 2; Eveson (England), 3; Wood (Scotland), 4; Eeynolds (Canada), 5. Time, 30m 49 4-ss.

The following qualified for the final of the 440 yds hurdle race:—First heat: Lord Burghlev (England), 1; Tatham (England), 2;*Hickey (Canada), 3.'Time, 58s. Second heat: Leigh-Wood (England), l'j Connolly (Canada), 2; Neame (England), 3. - Time, 5S 3-10s. In the final the result was: Lord Burghlev, 1; Leigh-Wood, 2; Neame, 3. Time, 54 4-ss, a new Canadian record.

The following qualified "or the final in the 220 yds race:—First heat: Englehart (England), 1; Hamilton (Scotland), 2. Time, 225. Second heat: Walters (South Africa), 1; Ball (Canada), 2. Time, 225. Third heat: Gerhardt (South Africa), 1; Fitzpatrick (Canada), 2. A. J. Elliott (New Zealand) ran third in a strong finish, but failed to qualify. Finafheat: Englehardt, 1; Fitzpatrick. 2; Walters, 3. Time, 21 4-ss.

For the finr.l of the SSOyds the following qualified:—First ' heat: Chandler (South Africa), 1; Thomas (England), 2: Gutteridge (England), 3; Pickard (Canada), 4. Time, lm 56 4-ss. Second heat: Hampson (England), 1; Wilson (Canada), 2; Edwards (British Guiana), 3. Time, lm 55 3-ss.

The final of fhe hop, step and jump resulted:—Smallcombe (Canada), 1. Distance, 4Sft sin. G. B. Johnson (New Zealand) was sixth. There were 10 competitors.. The following were the results in the swimming races held last evening:— 440 Yds Free Style.—Noel Evan (Australia), 1; G. Bridson (New Zealand), 2. Ryan's win was the most sensational of the evening. Munro Bourne led to nearly halfway, when Kyan went ahead strongly. The Canadian was nearly exhausted. Then Bridson came up and finished second, a foot ahead of G. Burleigh (Canada). The two had raced side by side and matched strokes for the full distance. Piyan won by 3yds. Time, 3m 49 4-ss.

IOOYds Backstroke.—J. W. Trippett (England), 1; William Frances (Scotland!, 2; J. C. P. Besford (England), 3. Time, 65 2-ss, a new Canadian record. J. W. Cameron (Australia) finished strongly, less than a foot behind Besford.

400 Yds Free Style (women).—Joyce Cooper (England), 1; Valerie Davies (Wales), 2; Sarah Stewart (Scotland), 3. Time, 5m 25 2-ss.

220 Yds Breaststroke (women). —Celia Wolstenholme (England), 1; Marjorie Hinton (England), 2; Ellen King (Scotland), 3. After being with the leaders for half the distance Gladys Pidgeon (New Zealand) fell back and finished sixth. The time, 2m 54 3-ss, is a new world's record for women swimmers.

Springboard Diving.—Alfred Phillips (Canada), 1; Cyril Kennett (Canada), 2; Arthur Stott (Canada), 3; R. C. Calder (New Zealand), 4.