SWIMMING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 12 January 1926, Page 8

SWIMMING.

VISIT OF AUSTRALIAN TEAM. WAITEMATA CLUB'S PROPOSAL. Although neither the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association nor the Auckland Centre was prepared to undertake the responsibility of a tour of New Zealand by a team of Australian swimmers this season, the Waitemata Club is seized with an idea in that direction. Through the Auckland Centre, application is being made to the council for the requisite permit to negotiate with the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association for a visit by a team in February. It is not generally known that the Waitemata Club holds tbe title of champion club of Australasia, having won this coveted title in 1912 from the Sydney Club when that combination visited Auckland at the Waitemata Club's invitation. Now the premier club is desirous of giving the sport a fillip by bringing across a full tournament team representing a Sydney club, and is prepared to throw its championship title into the lists. If the negotiations are sanctioned a series of scratch events in free and restricted styles over distances from 100 yards to one mile, and a water polo match, will be arranged. The contest will be decided on the 3, 2 and 1 points for places system, the water polo to count 3 points to the winners only. In all probability the governing body in Sydney will select, the East Sydney Club to take up the New Zealand challenge. This club numbers many fine swimmers in its ranks, including F. Doyle, Australia's best sprint swimmer. The tour will be confined to the Auckland province, but should necessity arise the Waitemata Club is reserving the right to arrange for at least two carnicals in country centres, such as Hamilton- and Cambridge. The financial undertaking is a large one for a single club, though in this respect the Waitemata Club is sufficiently entrenched to satisfy the New Zealand Council of its ability to see the project through without any straining of its resources. AUCKLAND , CHAMPIONSHIPS. COMMENCING TO-NIGHT. It is anticipated thnt there will he t record attendance of the swimming public at the Tepid Baths to-night for the firsl night of the Auckland Championships, whicl are being conducted by the Aucklanc Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swim ming Association. The second night will be on Thursday, after which the Aucklanc representatives for the New Zealand cham pionshlps to be held at Napier, commencinj on January 23, will be chosen. The events to be decided to-night are :— 100 yards and 220 yards, men ; 220 yard! men's breaststroke; 100 yards and 221 'yards, ladles; 100 yards and 220 yard:, intermediate boys; 100 yards, girls; 75 yards, intermediate girls' breaststroke; 100 yards, junior boys; 75 yards, junior boys' •breaststroke; and 50 yards, junior girls. In addition to the above there will be several handicap events for seniors and juniors. According to all accounts and judging -from the recent performances of the competitors, who include the record holders of the Dominion, there Is every likelihood, that more records will be established. The 100 yards and 220 yards men's championships will provide great contests, while the ladles may be relied upon to give some attractive displays. It is to be hoped that the public will turn out in large numbers to assist its champions to. go to Napier and retain Auckland's enviable position of the premier swimming centre of New Zealand.