INTERCOLONIAL SPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 13

INTERCOLONIAL SPORT.

OLYMPIC TEAM'S RETURN.

VISIT OF U.S.A. SWIMMERS

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, October 24.

The Sydney ring experienced a sensation this week. Harry Mason, another visitor, refused point-blank to carry out managerial instructions. Patrons waited twenty minutes over the usual time, while Mason argued behind the scenes. He set the ball rolling by refusing to get on the scales in the presence of the connections of Jack Car- , roll, welter-weight champion. The bout was not restricted by a poundage maximum and apparently the Englishman was not anxious to have his real weight made public. Every effort was made to persuade Mason to do the right thing, but all was in vain. He flatly refused to step on the scale and Carroll's manager threatened not to go on with the contest. When the crowd was becoming impatient Mason gave in. He was in his usual bad condition when he faced Carroll and was easily outpointed. It was Mason's third fight, and in none has he showed worth-while form. Allegations After Olympic Tour.

A nasty taint entered into the homecoming of Australian Olympians. Before the team returned, sensational rumours were published concerning the massage of the lady members of the team and the father of one of the swimmers, producing a letter alleged to be from his daughter, emphatically declared that he would demand an inquiry when she arrived home.

At the wharf the young lady concerned denied writing the letter and said there was absolutely no truth in the newspaper reports. This latter statement was corroborated by the manager, Mr. L. E. Duff, at the official dinner. Hβ asked members of the N.S.W. A.S.A. to withhold judgment on the reports circulated until he had made his official report. This report is due shortly and should make interesting reading. Speaking of Charlton's defeat by Borg and Zorilla, Mr. Duff said had Sydney swimming enthusiasts seen Charlton swim in the 1500 m event they could not have believed it was the same lad as the one who defeated Borg and Takaiski in Australia. "He was absolutely choked up with cold and his performances were heroic under the circumstances. Fit and welj," he said "I still believe that Charlton is a better distance man than Borg, and had Charlton had 'the look , in the 400 metres, the Argentinian would not have won." Since his return, Charlton has declared he will still take part in competitive swimming, although the surf will be his stronghold. "Arn e Bor* is a greatly-improved swimmer," he said and ZorHla is a star. I am not goinjr to make any excuses. The better man won in both races." Charlton said he would not swim against Crabbe. He was, however, prepared to help any young swimmer who may need the benent oi his experience.

Olympic Swimmers in Demand. Before "the tumult and the shoutin*" a a 01 >' m P ic ames had died the NSW tt '£' arra T d , f L or a visit to Australia by Claience Crabbe, the American swimmer who was a. finalist ia Olympic events. An effort was made to secure the appearance of Johnny Weismuller but the world's greatest sprinter has too mauy inducements in his own country to go abroad. Everything seemed eettled when Crabbe announced that he wanted a compamon on his trip and Geo. Center, president of the Hawaiian A.A.U., was proposed. But Center is not all popular with Australian swimming officials because he concelled a visit of Australian swimmers to Hawaii several years a<*o when it was known "Boy" Charlton would not be a member. It was thought Crabbe had Center in mind in asking for a trainer. To overcome the difficulty the association has decided to invite George Kojac, the -outhful world's backstroke champion and brilliant free-style sprinter, to be companion to Crabby Crabbe and, according to the Australian Olympic manager, is ready to leave at a moment's notice. If the men finalise matters they will arrive in December, and maybe they will thrill Aucklanders at the Tepid Baths en route. The Donnybrook of To-day. Every Monday evening, or nearly every Monday evening, the Donnybrook of Emerald Isle notoriety, is ably reproduced, in its modernised form, at Sydney Stadium. Edicts from Government source and the presence of numerous minions of law and order have no effect on the gladiators of the wrestling ring once they clinch in bear-like embrace. When the blood boils and all seems red, law and order are nought but fun and fancy. So these hardy grapplers make merry in their own distinctive fashion. Tradition, that is, the tradition of modern wrestling, was well upheld this week by "Al" Karasiek, the "Russian Lion," and "Bullet" Myers. True to his title, the Russian fairly mangled his swarthy opponent. He bit, kicked, punched, strangled, heaved Myers through the ropes, contradicted the referee, abused the crowd and generally did all that was expected of him. The pair twice visited the directors in the front row and "Al" then made a solo excursion, standing on his head with the aid of impetus supplied by "Bullet." The American followed him and waving legs were all that the spectators could see for a few moments. Returning to the ring Karasick fled out on the opposite side, kicked a pressman in the small of the back, chased several others out of their seats and once more climbing back into the ring, picked Up another pressman's hat, rolled it up into a ball and hurled it at Myers. Karaskk won in seven rounds by two falls to one. On his way to the dressing rooms the Russian was a successful target for a gentleman who expectorated all over his head and face. They do those things at wrestling matches. Great Sports Festival Planned. The completion of the Sydney Harbour Bridge will probably be celebrated in the sporting world by a big Empire athletic carnival. It is proposed to invite champion athletics from every British Dominion to compete in contests on the lines of the Olympic Games. Although realisation of the proposal is two years off the organising work will be enormous. Consequently, the N.S.W. Athletic Association, sponsors of the movement, a. re keen to make a start. The inadequate arrangements made in connection wit hthe Olympic team's trip abroad have caused critics to wander whether the Olympic Council knows its business, so the N.S.W. A.A-A- is out to show that it has the interests of the Australian athletes at heart.