Swimming.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1911, Page 14

Swimming.

. * (By "Header.")' CAENIViAL DATES. Swifts ' (Ladies), 4th March. Victoria. College, College Batas, 4th March. Wellington and Y.M.C.j*. (combined), 4th March. Of the three days, the final day of the championship meeting (last- Saturday) was, in several respects, the most successful. Tho lessons taught on the first two days were- taken heed of, and, although there were several of those tiresome waits common to all swimming carnivals — in Wellington, at any rate — the meeting, from a spectator's point of view, must he considered the most satisfactory yet held locally. It says much for the untiring efforts of the officials, who, indeed, have had a very busy time. Considering the large number tioned in this column, special praise is due to Messrs. Somerville' and T. Shields, who were always ready to assist. Considering the large number of visiting swimmers, the handicapper's efforts throughout were highly creditable. It is, by the way, interesting to notethat, so fa? this season, Mr. Wilton has handicapped over 1000 competitors in club and other events. At the championship carnival, tha starting of Mr. E. J. Flemming was, very favourably commented upon by the visitors — as indeed it deserved to be. Only once was a false- start made, and then it was through no fault of the starter, the pistol being to blame. Other members of the executive all worked hard and well. Of the final day's racing most interest' centred in the 220 yds championship, wherein Freyberg was expe.cted to "shake matters up." He failed, however, and failed somewhat badly, net getting even a second for Wellington. Why? For one thing, he seemed to lack any dash at the finish. But. as was suggested here last week, Freyberg c?n never expect to go much faster over the 'sprints — that is until he uses a new stroke. Many think "Tiny" would do better if he went in for distances. Champion's win, it can be safely said, surprised nobody, nor did the '•ecord time. Tho Aucklander did not appear to -worry in the least about his opponents. C. Welson (Auckland}, who swam second, put up the good time of 2min 4i 3-ssec, and that flealy could not beat him on that lime conclusively proves that the Wellingtonian was not up to form. Those who have seen Healy swimming this week admit that he is going much better now than he did in t'he championship races. The time he registers in the 440 yds provincial championship will, therefore, be watched with interest. Stranger, the much-talked-of, was a starter in the race, but the pace was evidently too "hot" for him, and he retired at 175 yds. Tho others swam pretty well in a bunch all the way. The 100 yds Invitation Scratch Race, put on for the benefit of " Squirrel " Brice. in order that he might swim the "hundred" under record conditions, provided a fairly interesting race. The Thorndonite was successful in his effort to create now figures, but it was a pity he was not pushed more. Had he been bo, it is very likely he would have cut the " 100 " out, in less time. In this race, G. Seymour, of Napier, put in his best swim seen in Wellington, getting second in (jbsec. Roberts, who was third, took 2-Sscc longer, and Stranger (once again) could get no better than fourth in 65 4-ssee. Healy was last to finish, and his time was slow — 63sec. In the rkce all conditions- were .complied with (it is presumed that the necessary application has been forwarded to the council), and there should ba no difficulty in having the record passed. The 880 yds championship was noticeable mainly for the splendid performance of the Napier representative, F. Seymour. This young swimmer shows great promiue, and he should bo en the championship list in a couple of years', or, perhaps, a year's, time. He wenu right away from Auckland's second string (Welson), and stuck to Champion better than any other swimmer during the meeting. His performance was a most popular one, and at the sueial gathering in the evening lie was given the heartiest of receptions. A icmarkable feature about the race was that the fir^t three to finish broke the record (12min 41sec). Because of the watei uolo, many of those who had entered did not start, and had Healy been a competitor the iace would have Deen a specially line one. The final match in tho water polo competition, between Wellington d,nd Canterbury, war* a strenuous affair — much too strenuous for Wellington. The game ot the local men was decidedly disappointing. They nearly all lacked enterprise, failing sadly to take advantage of anything offering. Not une of the team can be said to have reached club standard. And what a fine chance to score was given Wellington when P. Schwartz was ordered out of the water ! Yet no advantage was taken of this, which left Jenkinson unmarked. Had the latter kept his place, and nou wandered aimlessly about the field, Wellington would undoubtedly have scored at least another goal. 'Brice, too, was sadly amiss, and, although he secured the ball a number of times, he could do nothing with it; his shooting was mor-t inaccurate. Egberts did not play nearly up to expectations, and wab beaten every 'time he secured the ball. In the | Christchurch team H. Rich, who is capj tain, proved a tower of strength, and also by far the best polo player in New Zealand Quiet to seize every opportunity, he was travelling all over the " field." bustling everybody he came in contact with. Atkinson, also, played a splendid game. He useci hits n ? a A a

great deal, and made few mistaKes. The goalkeeper (L. Dingle) defended brilliantly, and the same may be said of G. Neal, Wellington's custodian. Canterbury thoroughly deserved their win. In future, Wellington must be more careful in regard to selection, and the committee should not consist of either players or referee. / Tho diving display on the last day, put on under the direction of Mr. F. Darling, of Napier, was quite a feature. Lt was evidently much enjoyed 'by tho spectators, as it deserved to be. -Already several local divers have beon practising many of the "tricks" introduced, and it is on the cards that a Thorndon troupe will be open 'for engagement at future carnivals. Tnere is plenty of room for such displays ; at present they are usually conspicuous by.thoir absence. In another item on the programme Mr. T. Shields made quite r a "hit" with his two "lilliputian exponents of the natatorial . art" — M'Cormack and Riddle. . Both these small boys have perfect breast strokes^ and, although they cannot break records, can put up fair times over the lOUyds. The championship scores during the meeting are as follow : — Auckland — Four firsts^ three seconds, two thirds. Total: 20 "points, with 11 standards. Canterbury — Two firsts, one second. Total : 8 points, with three standards. Wellington — One first, one second, three thirds. Total : 6 points, with six standards. Hawkes Bay — One socond, one third. Total : 3 points, with four standards. * The Wellington and the V.M.C.A. Clubs have now decided to join forces, and hold one combined carnival at Te Aro on Saturday, 4th March. The affair should be the most successful club gathering yet held in Wellington, for included in tho programme will be the 100 yds and 440 yds provincial championships. Naturally, considerable interest centres in the former event, in which it is hoped Brice will put up new figuros. Stranger is expected to give the Thorn donito a big run for his money, and— perhaps a beating. The "440" looks a cure thing for Healy, if he can" come back to anything like old form. The principal event at the Victoria College Club's sports, to take place at Wellington College Baths, also on the 4th March, will be the 100 yds club's championship, for a trophy presented by Mr. L. W. Ludwig. Numerous handicap and novelty races have also been included. Tho Wellington Club juniors decided the heats of a lOOy'ds handicap on Tuesday last. The first heat resulted : Wiso, 9sec, 1 ; Kirby, 25sec, 2 ; Mowatt, lOsec, 3. Wise, a sturdy Plimmerton boy, swam extremely well, beating Kirby by two feet. The second heat resulted in a win for W. Wareham (16 sec), with Butler (19sec) second, and Forsyth (24sec) third. This was a close finish, the three being within two feet of one another. The winner of the third haat turned up in M'Grath, with ssec; Ford (Bsec) was second, and Scott (Bsec) third. This also waa a good finish. The winner's time was 78sec, a very creditable performance. The scratch men — Martin, Silver, and Forth — were asked to do just a little too much, but all finished a touch behind the placed meg. The final took place last evening. The ladies' branch of the Swifts Club will hold a carnival at Te Aro Baths on 4th March, and the affair promises to be in every way a, success. It is understood that Miss O'Leary, a fast performer from the Masterton district, will be a competitor. TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Puzzled." — In the years you mention the distances were 200 yds, not 220 yds, as stated. Will deal further with the matter next week.