Swimming.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 77, 2 April 1910, Page 14

Swimming.

(By "Header.")

It is not the usual thing for swimming teams to visit other centres, but those of tho Thorndon Club who went to Napier this Eastor have/ many good reasons to remember their trip. From the time they stopped off the train at Napier until the day they left they were treated in a most hospitable manner. The first carnival attended was that of the Pioneer Club, of Hastings — a club yet only in its infancy, but ono able to put on quite as good a programme ac any Wellington Club can. Mr. Ribbands is the secretary, and he is the right man in, the right place. A more energetic and capable official it would be hard to find anywhere. At the carnival the Thorndon polo combination accounted for the local team to the tune of four goals to two. In the second spell, it might be mentioned, Thorndon played ono or two men ehort, and it was then that Hastings scored. Hastings played pluckiy throughout, and with careful practice and judicious training should develop into a tine team. R. Healy, in his "attempt to create a Hawkes Bay record" over 100 yards, put in a very creditable swim, considering that he was swimming in fresh water. His time (65 3-ssec) is a record for the district, and in commemoration of his feat Healy was presented with a handsome medal. The Visitors' Handicap (75yds) went to F. Roberts, and the trophy was a solid silver cup. Aiter the sports the visitors were entertained at tea, over which the Mayor of Hastings presided. Up till Easter Monday the weather was perfect, but on that day rain set in, and the Napier Club's carnival was somewhat marred in consequence. Nevertheless, there were a few spectators who braved the elements, and they were rewarded with some excellent eport. The handicapping was, as at Hastings, one of the features of the meeting. F. Roberts was the hero of the gathering, being successful in. breaking the New Zealand record over the 100 yds course. His time I was 64sec, and, of course, it remains to be seen whether it will be accepted by the counoil. There were four watches on the race, and two check starters, and the former all agreed "to the tick." The water-polo match between Thorndon and Napier (champions of Hawkes Bay) provided one of the best exhibitions the writer has yot seen. Both teams played willingly, and, on the evening's play, it must be admitted that the bost team won. The win was by two goals to nil, and the score gives a very fair indication of the niepts of tho respective combinations. The visiting 1 team certainly felt tho want of Roberts, who was unable to play, but it is doubtful whether he would havo been instrumental in turning the tables. In tho straight-out swimming events Thorndon men were vory successful. ThoMaiden Raco (scratch) went to T. H. M'Lean, and the Handicap Dash (33 1-3 yds) to C. Brice. The "neat header" event was annexed by R. Nelson, after having to dive-off with "Ken" Wiggans and a local divor — M'Lean. At the conclusion of these sports, the Wellington swimmers were entertained at supper, and congratulatory remarks were exchanged. The visit will undoubtedly give a great imputua to swimming in Napier, and it is to be hoped that it will become an annual affair. In Napier there is a lad named Seymour, who only wants to be associated with Wellington swimmers for a season or co when he would give our best all they want. As it ia, there is nobody to extend him, and therefore he does not know quite what he can do. At tho last meeting of the executive committee of tho N.Z.A.S.A., the remits adopted by the recent conference of delegates from centres hold at Auckland were, received. The question of recognising tho conference was at onco raised by ono member of the committee, and after some discussion it was decided to receive tho report and covering letter. The chairman gave it as his opinion that the proper procedure would bo to receive the letter, and any recommendations should ba placed beforo tho council by the delegates of the centres that forwarded the original remits. This appears to be a peculiar attitude for the council to take up. Surely these remits, which were unanimously adopted in each case by the representatives of four of the strongest contret affiliated to the association, should carry more weight than recommendations by different centres working independently of each other. The council will bo _ making a mistake if it attempts to ignore the conference as a body without any standing, as there ia no doubt that now that tho idea of holding an annual conference has been established, it will take something more than mere throwing of cold water by tho executive to porsuado tho centres to discontinue the system. It must bo admitted by any o,ia having tho slightest knowledge of the conduct of swimming affairs that a conforonco of delegates is a more representative body than the executive c»n ever be, as it is composed of members who aro acquainted with tho inner workings of each of tho centres, whereas the latter body can never be anything but a gathering of men who are residents of tho particular place which happens to bo tho headquarters of tho association. Tho Easter holidays and the succeeding cold snap havo offectually ended tho swimming season in Wellington, and from now on tho oarly morning winter bathor will hold undisturbod possession of tho baths for the few minutes whioh he requires to perform his daily healthgiving task. It seems a thousand pities that larger numbers of the ordinary "buttorffy" bathers do not continue throqgh tho winter months, as thero is no reason why swimming should not be indulged in all the year round in a placo like Wellington. Tho actual difference in tho tern* peraturo of the water, even during the coldest months, is not sufficient to Jeter any ordinary healthy person from , having his daily dip, whilo as a preventive of colds thero is nothing finer than a plungo beforo breakfast. Tho Te Aro clubs two years ago adopted tho idea of holding a combined midwinter handicap raco, and the idea might bo worth extending if swimmers will givo their support. Mr. Charles Moore, vice-captain of the Swifts Club, who was farcwelled by hie fellow members at their "smoker" last week, on the occasion of his leaving New Zealand, can easily lay claim to being the most vorsatilo performer in tho local swimming world. As a sprinter, ho was in the first flight, as a diver ho was seldom beaten — especially in high or trick "!■"££ — while at water polo ho was probably tho best of those players who havo learnt th<j gamo in Wellington. In addiI tion to theso accomplishments, ho was well up in the knowlcdgo of life-saving work, and had this branch of .swimming 1 not been so sadly neglected ho would havo boon much more prominent, in lifesaving exhibitions. Ho was also for a number of years a delegate from his club to tho Wellington centre, which he represented both at Timn.ru and Auckland at tho conference of centre delegates. By his removal, swimming ha 3 lost a valued worker, whose place will bo hard to fill.