EMPIRE SWIMMERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 192, 14 August 1911, Page 8

EMPIRE SWIMMERS.

COLONIALS VICTORIOUS. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON', July 7. Tie Empire swimming events, which formed rhe second portion of the competition for ihe trophy presented by the Earl or Lonsdale, Acre uecided last Saturday in the Crystal Palace lower lake -before a very large paltering of spectators. A sharp wind blew up the course, and somewhat handicapped the sprint competitors. The loOyds wa« held over a straight course, and resulted in a capital win for H. H. Hord-ivlck, Australasia, whoaestime of fi<) 3-Ss. must be considered very fine, considering the adverse conditions. J. H. Derbyshire, who kept a perfect course, at times got dangerously near the leader, but was finally beaten by a couple of yards. G. Johnson, of Canada, the only other competitor, was several yards in arrears at the finish. The mile provided a triumph for Canada. wiose representative beat T. S. Battersby, of" England, by over 20yds in 2om 27 3-58. tip New Zeal.Tnd crack, M. E. Champion, retiring after completing 1200 yds. Battersby was first away, but Hodgson and Champion soon took a slight lead, the Canadian being in front at the first turn IllOydsi. During the second length Hodgson maintained his position, Battersby being 3yds behind at 220 yds. Champion drew ahead at the third turn, but at the quarter-mile mark Hodgson was again ahead, -with Battersby still third. 4yds behind. At 600 yds Champion was again in front, and at the half distance led Hodgson by 2yds. with Battersby third. The leader forced the pace in the next 220 yds. and led Hodgson by 7s, and Battersby by 17s. but the Canadian overhauled rhe leader and passed lihn at the eleventh length, Champion slopped. Battersby continued to lose ground, and at three-quarter mile was nearly lfis behind, and Hodgson, drawing still further ahead, -won easily. The immediate times were: SSOyrts—Champion, 12.24. lTGOyds—-Hodgson, 25.27 3-5. Battersliy's poor showing Is accounted for by the fact that he has been in training for the championship of the Mersey, a long dlslanc-- tidal affair scarcely calculated to improve a man's speed for mile events in dead water. Champion's excuse for his retirement ■was cramp in his left leg, which rendered Jt impossible for him to continue. The 100 yds handicap held in connection with the Empire events was a great success, and ended in the success of the City policeman O. Innocent, who. from the 0 seconds mark, snatched a win by a touch from G. E. Findlay, of West Australia (2s). who In turn beat T. B. Tartakovor. New South Wales (ss), by a bare yard for second honour. Findaly ought to have won, and was only beaten because he miscalculated hjs position with regard to Innocent,