Swimming.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 135, 4 December 1909, Page 14

Swimming.

(By "Header."} CARNIVAL FIXTUEES. V.M.C.A., Bth January. Swifts, 12th February. Thorndon, 26fch February. Wellington, 12th March. The application of the Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.S.A. to be allowed to conduct tho annual New Zealand cham- j pionship meeting appears to have re- ) coived short shrift from the members of the council, who were apparently almost unanimous in deciding to allot the meeting to the Auckland Centre. This decision has been received by the officials of tho Wellington Centre with some dissatisfaction. They claim that no other centre has been so unfairly treated. In support of this, the following Tecord showing the deciding places of the championships since the formation of the Wellington Centre in November, 1900, should be sufficient to convince the oouncil that an injustice has been done : —1900-01 season, at Chri3tchurch ; 190203, at Auokland; 1903-04, at Lyttelton ; 1904-05, at Wanganui; 1905-06, at Nelson; 1907-08, at Napier and 1908-09, at Timaru. In the seasons 1901-02 and 1906-07, the Australian championships were held at Wanganui and Christchurch respectively. Therefore, it will be seen that during tho past nine seasons Canterbury has on three occasions had control of the championships, while Wanganui has had the ihonour twice, and Auokland, Nelson, Napier, and Timaru onco each. Yet Auokland is now considered to have a stronger claim than Wellington, in spite of tho fact that the northern body was for some yoars run as a separate assooiation through having seceded from the present governing body. As I montionod last week, a southern exchange suggested that the allocation of tho championships should be made for a numbor of seasons ahead — as is the oa3e in Australia. This would certainly be an excellent way of ending the scramblo each year by the different contres. This suggestion is by no means original, as the method was advocated by Wellington some yoars ago. The same writer says that unless some such system is adopted, the oounoil will next year havo to decide between Wanganui, Canterbury, and the defeated centre this year (i.e., Wellington), at its next annual meeting. Surely its task should prove an easy one' in view of the table given above, unless, of course, it intonds to continue its policy of ignoring Wollington. Unless tho association can arrange at its adjourned meeting (which is to be held on 10th inst.) to give Wellington an assurance that it will in future rccoive fair play at the hands of the counoil, it is freely rumoured that the local centre will rofuso to nominate any representatives for tho forthcoming meeting. But surely this would be a very unsportsmanlike action. It now remains for Wellington to help to make the Auckland gathering (probably in February next) a success in every way. The water was very choppy and rough on Wednesday evening, when the Thorndon Club decided its maiden race. There were eighteen entrants for the event, and of these only one (Roberts) failed to face tho starter. The race was "got off" in throe heals, with the following results: — First heat— E. Picot and T. M'Lean, 1 and 2 respectively. Second heat — W. Hill and G. A. Fell. Third heat— C. Brice and C. A. M'Donald. Final— Picot and Brice. So fn.r this season Brice may bo credited with the fastest time over 50yds, having left the distance behind in 31sec. C. Ward did the distance in 31 3-ssec and 32sec, and E. Levy, of the Wellington Club, took 32 2-ssec. Healy's'timo was taken on Thursday as 29sec, but, of course, this may not be accurate. In both his heats in the race in question Brice showed that ho had indeed improved. His stylo is splendid, and there is no waste energy. R. Nelson seems to have gone off somewhat, but he may "pick up" before the carnivals. Picob although he swam well, made a very crooked course, and the sooner he rectifies this the better for his fellow-swim-mers. The first race of tho season under the auspices of the Swifts Club was decided on Thursday of last week under unfavourablo weather conditions, which caused a number of entrants to scratch. The dozen men who lined out on tho starting board provided a good race, and set tho judgeb a difficult task to 6ort out the place-getters. C. G. Aston, who gained the verdict, is much improved as a sprinter, but still requires a deal more sea room than any other swimmer. W. F. Dudson just missed first, honours after a good effort from the scratch mark. The third man, F. Lyons, is a new swimmer who is showing marked improvement since his maiden effort of last season. Another now competitor, in J. E. Wat6on, finished close up, and should meet with success when he manages to perfect hie stroke. C. Moore will need to improve on his showing if ho is to retain the honour of starting from scratch position. His performances this season are not to bo compared with his previous best. J. Robinson had tho misfortune to be in Aston's "wake" all the way, othorwise he would probably have been "in at the death." Tho Swifts next race is one over a lOOvds course next Thursday, and already a number of entries have been received. In a report of tho )ii-oceodings at the meeting of the council last week, published in a Christchurch paper, the following appears:— "Some discussion took placo on a clause in the report recording the fact that R. Healy (of the Thorndon Club) had obtained certificates for the bost times as a New Zealander in the 440 yds and 880 yds. It is stated that he is not a New Zealander except by residence, and the council's intention was to make the certificates only to New Zealand born. Tho clause was held over for a report from a committee." Seeing that the matter is s,ub judice, I will refrain from making any remark at present. The New Zealand Council desires, according to its annual report, to induce periodical visits of Australian swimmers, and it is hoped by all that it will be successful in its venture. The Australiuns would, it is mentioned, come here under this control of the council. The V.M.C.A. Club are reported to havo arrangements for their carnival on Bth January well under way, and it is

expected" that their programme will be available early next week. At its race la6t week, this club adopted the plan of collecting- all entrance fees before tho competitors wero allowed to start. The report presented at tho annual meeting of the council last week expressed a great deal of pleasure and _gratification, and, says a Ohristchurch writer, with very good reason ; but it also served to emphasise tho fact that in regard to the humane branch tho centres and council have not got a great deal to boast about. The report, however, speaks of increasing enthusiasm this season. Lifo-saving work has been shamefully neglected' in the past, and we shall want something more than a very occasional competition to stimulate interest. Will a club be found bold enough to strike out, say, an inter-club event, and put on a comprehensive lifesaving event? One important question was forwarded by the Auckland Centre to the meeting of the council last week, relative to tho status of professional footballers holding office in various clubs. After discussion, the matter was referred to a subcommittee to report at the next meeting. It will not be out of place to publish a list of tho English champions who gained honours last season. It is as follows: — 100 yds — P. Radmilovic. 100 yds (ladies) J. Fletcher. (Time, lmin Wsec. A.S.A. record.) 220yds— T. S. Battersby. 440 yds (salt water)— T. S. Battersby. bOOyds— T S. Battersby. 880yds— T. S. Battersby. One mile — T. S. Battersby. Long distance (5 miles 60yds)— H. Taylor. 150 yds Backstroke — F. On win. 200 yds Breaat-stioke — P. Oourtman. Water Polo — Lancashire, beat Somerset by 6 goals to 1. Diving — H. E. Pott. Plunging— W. Allason. _ The most important matter for discussion at the meeting of the council in Christchurch last week was the passing of diving rules, with a view of having uniformity in divintj competitions, and this will, in all probability, lead up to a diving championship being added to the list of New Zealand championships. The initial race of the V.M.C.A. Club — a 50yds inter-club handicap — was decided on Tuesday evening at Te Aro. There wero thirteen starters. The winner was W. Chartres (lsec), who had about half a yard to spare from the scratch man, Cyril Ward. Ten yards from home, F. Wilton held command, and looked all over a win.ner, when Chartres and Ward both put in a well-timed sprint, and settled the argument. B. O'Niell (2sec), who beat Wilton by a touch, swam disappointingly. ' "Baxter" is in splendid form for distance races, but on Tuesday he made far and away too much use of himself, and had he lengthened his stroke he must have landed the "bacon." R. B^ker is at present below last year's form. Owonjr to the indisposition of Mr. Morpech, who is in charge of the junior -branch of the Wellington Club, a very small ontry was received for the 50yds handicap on Wednesday, and the committee decidedjto postpone the event until such time as Air. Morpeth will be about again, which I expect will be in about ten days. Tho members of the Wellington Club assembled on Thursday evening to make a presentation to their late captain, Mr. H. E. Anderson, who is shortly joining the ranks of the benedicts. "'Header" wishes him and his future bride every success, but hopes that he will not entirely relinquish his interest in the sport. Mr. Anderson was once secretary ol the centra.