SWIMMING NOTES.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9300, 30 December 1895, Page 2

SWIMMING NOTES.

" Weekly Press and Referee."

Br Lkandkk.. The Sydenham Club's sports call for no R])i\ i;il mention in the way of management. The pi iin .-ijKil items was the Inter-Club Handif.ip, winch produced sonic fine finishes. U.ixtcr won fairly easily from the lOsec in.nk. Tlundicappcrs will have to ho careful ami not »ivt; the scratch men so much to do. In no heat I thin!; except Smart's did the scratch ni;ia gyt home, the others had no cii.-.iuv. Tii" Kel.ty n.-tcc-caused the greatest excite-liii-nt <if tin-day. t lie L'hri.stchurch club's reps i!ic tables completely on their rivals, Ivist ChristJihurch. I w.is glad to nee the Cliri.<.ti:!ni:vii team changed : it had the de.ited oii'uct. Patterson swims a grand ra.ro. Christchurch, v.-itli a weak team, easily defeated Sydenham in the polo match. The tactic?, adopted by the .Sydenham backs, licll and KurjHcll, when watching Watson, are not to be admired. If that sort of play continues then all matches will liave to be played in deep water, which will cure it quickly. One tiling I noticed on Saturday in the handicap was a man who was getting second place in hiss hc:it, deliberately stopped and allowed the third man to win. This sort of thing should be dealt/ with at once. I refrain from mentioning names this time. The arrangements for sending a team from Canterbury to Sydney were finally settled on Saturday night. Owing to business engagements the Ciiristchurdi Consul and captain of the Christchureh Club's team, cannot get the necessary leave, and as Messrs Brabner, Patterson and HallUlay cannot go, the idea of sending a polo team had to be abandoned. It is a great pity, as I am sure the team would have had a great chance of winning. The only representative worthy to be sent was W.J. Stratton, and he was selected to represent us in all the championships. Although not a champion of New Zealand, Stratton has proved to us that he can put down Messrs Bailey and Hoey, the Auckland cracks, and if he is defeated in Sydney, it will only lie by some of the Australian champions Gormley, Hellingsor Cavill. We know these are three flyers, and quite expect to see them, win, but" Stratton will, I am sure, acquit himself with credit. For the sprint races Stratton does not expect to be placed, as he does not consider himself a sprinter, but in the longer distances our chances are more hopeful. Besides Stratton, J. M. Wilson, ex-captain C.S.C., C. H. Fox, Secretary C.S.C., and perhaps Brabner, C.S.C. and Bassett, Richmond S.C., will go across. If the two latter go, they, in conjunction with Fox, will compete in the handicap events. The following is a list of the principal Australasian Carnival races :— I Jan. 15—220yi19 Championship Open Race 3in Nntatoriuin. .fan. 16— Milo Championship in Huwkesbury River. Jan. 17—4<50yds Championship and 100 yds Open »t Natatorium. Jan. 13—830 yds Championship, Polo Championship, two open events at Ealniain. Jan. 22—100 yds Championship, three open events at Natatorium. Jan. 23—Distance Diving at Parramatta and Ladies' Bracelet. Jan. 25—100 yds Intercolonial Scratch and 100 yds Open at Bondi. At the meeting of delegates on Saturday night, the much vexed question of change of head-quarters was again brought up. A email sub-committee was appointed to go into the matter with a view to having the management put on a more satisfactory footing. I hear numerous complaints as to the working of the New Zealand representative team. If the Canterbury Clubs, and especially the local consul, had not taken the matter up in a businesslike manner, nothing would have been done, and the great Aua traloatan Meeting would have passed unnoticed. Mr Marks, manager.of the N.S.W. athletic team, is a great enthusiast in swimming. He is hon. treasurer of the East Sydney Club, and one of the executive of the Australian Association. It is to be hoped the swimmers will extend a hearty welcome to him. Mr Hnrrison, captain of the Ashburton Swimming Club, will go across to Sydney for a holiday with the Canterbury team. Pla/ske has issued a challenge in Sydney to swim allcomers five miles or more, for from £50 upwards aside. \ After two postponements, the benefit to Hurry Placke, the Dutch swimmer and pugilist, was held in Foley's Hall, Sydney, on December 2nd, when there was a good attendance, and a capital evening's sport was witnessed. The East Sydney Swimming Club held a 500j'ds Flying Squadron Amateur Championship Race at their carnival on December 11th. Theßalmain and East Sydney Club 3 were the only competitors, and the teams were :— Balmain: A. Holmes, A. Davis, J. Taylor, S. Davis, and C. Proudfoot. East Sydney: A. Cavill, C. Hellings, A. Arnold, P. Cavill, and J. Tooher. Conditions : Competitors in each of the fivo relays swim 100 yds. The swimmers in the succeeding relays wait until touched by their club mates before taking their plunge. This goes on until the five men from each team have completed the 100 yds each. The first man to finish in the final relay—i.e., the last 100 yds of the 500 yds —decides the race. Club winning race ranks as champion club of New South Wales for the year 1895-96. Holmes and CaviFl were the first pair sent away, and they finished the 100 yards together. A. Davis and Hellings relieved them, and Davis established a lead. Taylor and Arnold went on next, and Taylor kept well in front. S. Davis and Cavill followed, Davis having plenty to spare at the finish. Proudfoot and Tooher were the last pair, and Proudfoot won by fifteen yards. The times for each relay of 100 yds were :— First, lmin Bisec; second, 2min 21sec; third, 3min 30sec; fourth, 4min 40isec; fifth, smin 48sec.