SWIMMING.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17062, 5 February 1921, Page 11

SWIMMING.

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") DI'XKDIX, February 1. The Dominion Swimming C'humpions'hip Meeting, which will open to-r>ion\vv' night, is creating great- interest, and a packed house is assured. ATI the team's b-.tvo now arrived Mild ,aiv quar'.f.red in • various pari* of tlio town.' The Auckland. Wanganni, Manawatu, Hir.vks's Bay, Wellington, Canterbury, and tvntv's are ail fully represented in tl;a championship* Auc-kla.ml, tho present holders' of botb challenge shields, liavo a particuluily strong tram, unci tire confident ot putting up it great fight in defence oi tbeir 'titles. Canterbury has a record team. The Red and Blacks are sure to .do justice to their province and are fanguino of rapturing at one cf tli'i shields, and if beaten for the other of being only a f ew points, behind the winner-;-. To-morrow night's programme includes several championships and tho first of these —the, 50yds junior girls—will see Canterbury with three lcprcjtmtatives, of whom Miss Alma Mather will probably fish' out a prwsrt race with. Misses It. Pago (Auckland) aud A. Cameron (Hawkc's Bay). Tlu> 100 yds junior boys' championship is considered by all loams a sure win for X. Dowsett, of Wanganni, who has' been showing fine form in hirt work since arrival. 11. Ca'.lnghan and A. Barker (Auckland) and V. Mc-Tigne (Canterbury) should dispute second and third places. The Blue Ribbon .event, the 100 yds open championship, is voted a win for the Auckland representative, L. Kronfeld, whilo D. Murrell (Wellington) will probably fill second I-lace. Wheeley and Sutherland, Canterbury's nominees in thia race, nre both showing good form, the former having come on a lot of late, and tho better of the two may put up a good go for third honours'. The 220 yds boys' intermediate* championship will see Canterbury strongly representedby N, , Batchelor, who ehould win, with Bailey (Auckland) and Claridge (Wanganui) filling the places.. The mile championship is causing great interest, and follower* of the spoTt arc anxiously awaiting the meeting. of young Cunnold, of Auckland (who is 'being withdrawn from tho intermediate race) and L. Hill (Canterbury). Cunnold is in great form, as is" "Hill, | who at present. holds the title, and it is I confidently expected that he will retain tho ! (honours. The third place is very open and may go to Auckland, who have, three other jstrings to their bow. Probably the. finest xaoei of the evening will bo that for tho title of 100 yds lady chars.; TL.on, in which Auckland should have two sure place, fillers in Misses V. Walrond andP.Hoeft, and Canterbury the third in. Miss G. Shand. The probable order of finishing has been n-.uch discussed of late, end -whilst Auckland are confident of filing the first .two places, Canterbury are equally sanguine of gaining thi3 championship. A great race is assured and at ther finish probably- about two yards will cover tho placings. A water polo match, Canterbury A. v. Auckland 8., is down for decision, and if played should sea Canterbury to advantage. Canterbury are strongly represented in the handicap events, claiming over fifty per cent. of the entrants, and can bo relied upon to play a prominent part in the lesulte. To-rnorrow night's swimming will probably throw twins light upon the chances' of Auckland and Canterbury as regards the right to hold the Yaldhurst' Challenge Shield, and Canterbury are pinning their faith and confidence to Miss Shand and L. Hill to place them in the lead at the conclusion of the first night's contest. The Canterbury team has* been the recipient of sympathy from other teams upon the unfortunate absence' of Carl Atkinson, whoso presence would have undoubtedly strengthened the Red and Black team.