SWIMMING.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9363, 12 March 1896, Page 2

SWIMMING.

♦ ••Weekly Press and Referee." [By Lkandkr.] Referring to the racing at the Richmond Club's Sports, my notes on which had last week to be held back, I may say that first, head andshouldersabbvehisclub mates, comes A. B. Truscott. This boy is coming out wonderfully well and his performance in the 75yds was a really good one. I quite expect next year to see him beating most of our local cracks. He should now go for good long distance swimming, which lam sure would be the making of him. Armit&ge swum a good race but has not improved much. The Maiden Race was well contested and shewed that the club have another good man in Frank Bassett.

The Inter-club Race produced the chief attraction and some really excellent swimming was shewn, especially by the Christchurch Club contingent. Truscott, of the East Christchurch, has improved to come quite up to his younger brother, and I must congratulate him on his win. Smart has also improved that much that he has to come down to the mark with the other clubs' local cracks. His perfor>mano« was raally .good. Th« Trodgeon

stroke, a3 adopted by him and Truscott, again proved what I said some time ago, that it is the fastest mode of swimming for sprint-racing. Stratton, had a task set him, which, if he had accomplished it, would have brought him very near the world's record. His trudge for short races should enable him to break up 70 for the 100 yards. Harrington is a greatly improved man, but, I doubt very much if either Truscott or Smart would have got home if Kardingham had not been interfered with by Harrington. Hardingham is fast becoming a brilliant performer. Immediately upon his return home, Harry Heath. Victoria's representative at the recent carnival in Sydney, won a 200 yds members' handicap from scratch in omin 29 4-sth sec, and was third in a 100 yds handicap, starting from scratch. On January 10th, a magnificent collection of trophies, valued at close upon £1000, was distributed in the Egyptian-hall of the Mansion House, London, in connection with the City of London swimming championships.

Leo's time (lmin. 5 l-ssec.) in the final of Enterprise Club's 100 yds. handicap last Wednesday night (says a Sydney paper of February 22nd) has been much discussed by swimmers. It is a great deal faster than anj'thing he has ever previously accomplished, and brings him in line with the best swimmers we have over that particular distance. The 100 yds. championship of Australasia was won by Jack Hellings last month in lmin. 5 4-ssec, or 5-ssec. slower than Leo's time, which equals the association's costume record for the distance, standing in the present 100 yds. champion's name. In this connection it might be mentioned that the costume worn when the record was put up consisted of the regulation guernsey and trunks, but Leo, on the occasion of Ins swim, only wore trunks, so that the absence of a guernsey was in his favour, though not much, as it is made of very thin material, and offers little or no obstruction to speed. However, it is pretty certain that Leo will do something better before the present season expires, as almost every time he swims lately a manifest improvement in his time is evidenced. Leo won the Enterprise Club race by a foot from J. Mason (Usee.) who in turn beat W. B. Coates (13sec.) by a similar distance.

The Napier Swimming Club held their third series of club races at the White Swan Baths, Napier, on February 19fch, when there was a good attendance, and the following were the results: —65yds Maiden—G. Wilks, 1; S. P. Spiller, 2. Time, 51sec. 66yds Championship of Hawko's Bay—T. Peddie, 1; T. Roulston, 2 ; J. M. Hamilton, 3. Three others started. Time, 46 l-sth sec. Feet First Plunge—J. M. Hamilton, 1 ; R. M'Lernon, '2. 110 yds Ladies' Bracelet —P. Emerson, osec, 1; H. Gillies, 7sec, 2 ; S. Roulston, 7sec, 5. Thirteen others started. Time, lmin 32ssc. 66yds Back Race—S. P. Spiller, 7sec, 1; T. Cunningham, 7sec, 2. Time, lmin 4sec. Neat Header—J. M. Hamilton, 1. 150 yds Championship of Hawke'sßay—T. Roulston, 1 ; T. Peddie, 2 ; J. M. Hamilton, 3. A. D. Peddie also started. Time, 2min lsec. Plate Race, 66yds—G. Wilk3, 63ec, 1; T. Cunningham, 6see, 2. Two others started. Time, 61 l-sth sec.

A special meeting of the" New South Wale 3 Swimming Association was held in Sydney on February 10th for the purpose of investigating a charge of " jockeying " made by W. J. Gormly against A; Cavill during the race for the one mile championship swum at Windsor in January. Cavill, pending the investigation of this charge, had been debai'red from competing in several championships. The evidence of the two swimmers concerned was taken. Cavill stated that at the start he was about thirty yards away from Gormly, and after some distance had been swum he was three yards in front of all others, and then Gormly came over to him. They were never in contact with each other, consequently he (Cavill) could not have marked his fellow-competitor; The scratches must have been caused when Gormly clambered on to the river's bank after giving.up. The accused further Sv'.id that at 400 yds Gormly was stiii behind, and he, tiring then, gave up, and swam to a boat —Gormly passed on. Gormly's account was in effect that at 109 yds he found Cavill swimming in front of him, giving a pretty strong wash. He (Gormly) then slackened up. At this time the other competitor was half a yard clear ahead. Gormly then shortened his stroke for thirty yards,'and found that Cavill did the same. They got level once, and then, he alleged, the accused kicked him a few times, leaving marks on his (Gormly's) legs and shoulder. He tried every ruse he could think of to get out of the trouble, but found himself "jockeyed" each time. Several questions were asked, after which Mr T. J. Moloney moved, and Mr C. A. Madden seconded, that the judge's report and recommendation be adopted. After discussion a division was taken, with the result that thirteen delegates voted in favour ot the motion and three against. Mr T. J. Moloney gave notice of his intention to move at the next meeting of the council — '' That Mr A. Cavill be re-instated, his suspension from competition in several galas, subsequent to the one where the offence is alleged to have occurred, being considered sufficient punishment."