In the Water

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1923, Page 19

In the Water

OLYMPIC SPORTS

NEW ZEALAND LADIES FOR AUSTRALIA "

'HONOUR FOR MR, DUFFY.

cßj- "Headeb.")

During laßt week "Header" received a very interesting extract from a northern paper, forwarded by an old. supporter from up that way. As there is a, degree of truth in it, the quotation of the full paragraph is worth giving. It says :— "Auckland's 100 yards champion, Miss Pauline Hoeft, has been doing some solid work in preparation for the forthcoming tour to Australia. It is practically settled, I understand, that this swimmer is to be invited by the New South Wales Ladies' Amateur Swimming Association. Dame Rumour saith that she will compete in the various Australian Olympic tests, and if Miss Hoeft repeats fast season's form there H a probability that she will be asked to form one of the Australian team for Paris. This will be a distinct Joss to New Zealand and a blow to her swimming prestige. One cannot blame the girl for accepting an offer from Australia; but the somnolence that seems to have overwhelmed the New Zealand Olympic body respecting the promotion of , funds to ensure representation at Paris ib no doubt reiponsible. Perhaps an Olympic campagin will be inaugurated a week before the date of embarkation, and then It will be found necessary to again pass around the hat. We shall see. At any rate, at the present time Olympic matters are as dead as Julius Caesar. Miss Hoeft is training- at the Parnoll baths, and intends to jpeoialise in sprinting. The 100 yards is her distance, and if she is wisely guided she will restrict herself to the short distances. The invitation to Australia is likely to materialise according to latest reports." It was only towards the end of last week that anything was known locally of a proposed tour to Australia. The only information then known was to the effect that, owing to the success of the previous tour of Misses Shand and Walrond, the New South Wales Ladies' Association had again _ decided to issue an invitation to a senior and junior lady swimmer from New Zealand. It would appear to be rather definite from the above extract thao Miss Hoeft is to be one of the invited swimmers, and in all probability, if a junior swimmer is also to go, it will be found that Miss Piri Page will go across, > although in this country she is now out of the intermediate clas!. But the most remarkable part of the article is that which refers to the fact that if Miss Hoeft can reproduce her last seaBon's form and compete successfully in the Australian Olympic tests, the possibility of her inclusion in the Australian team for the Olympiad would be far from remote. The reason advanced is practically that, owing to_the inactivity of the New Zealand Olympio Council, there did i not seem to be any prospect in view of anyone being sent to the games at all from this country; therefore - Miss Hoeft's services might be availed of by AustraI ha. At the time the ~ article was written. 'Header" was aho drawing attention to the lack of interest being displayed in Olympic matters by the controlling body, but since then the situation has improved vastly. Before long the council will launch its big campaign for the raising of funds, which, if successful, will make for ample representation at the forthcoming and future Olympiads. This being the case, Miss Hoeft should possess just an equal chance of being selected in the New Zealand representatives as in the Australian. If she can make a return to her brilliance of two seasons ago there would be little to hinder her selection in any New Zealand team; in fact, hers would be one of the first selections made, and it is hardly hkely that she would forsake the ' jUomimon in representation of this kind Then, again, if she cannot reach that standard, and is again beaten by Violet Walrond in the: national championship or even by some other lady swimmer, it does not seem feasible that the Australian team would includer her amongst its number. Of course, she beat Miss Walrond on move than one occasion after last season s national ohampionship (in which she gained second place), but this may have been- due to Miss Walrond developing slackness, yet on tile other other hand Miss Hoeft may not have been at tho top of her form at the championships Both reasons could bo correct, and probably are. -By the latter part of the extract, it will be glimpsed that Miss Hooft fj FammS more assiduously than she did last season, and if she perseveres, the national title may, fall on her shoulders again, and the prophecy of "Header" two seasons ago—following on her performances at the To Aro Baths-that she is a world, beater ' may yet bo fulfilled, in which case she can be practically assured of a place m the New Zealand team. But national champion or not, the writer is somewhat sceptical about her inclusion in an Australian team. His knowledge of Australia and her sport, and the preserving of their own identity in the field of amateur athletics, is too well known to admit of any inclusion in its Olympic representation other than those from it's own country. If Miss Hoeft intends to settle over there, then, naturally, the case is different, but there is no information to that effect known locally. SURF SWIMMING. i Contrary to general expectations, the Maranui Club have decided to continue their affiliation to the local centre of the rv.Z.A.S.A. It is understood that there were several supporters of the motion to cancel their affiliation prior to the commencement of the mec'ting, but after addresses had been mado by some of the older members, especially Messrs. J. Duffy and R. Smith, tho motion was withdrawn by the mover. Mr. J. M'Nio was present at the meeting by invitation representing the centre, and made it abundantly clear that the work of the centre was in no way stagnant, but very much the opposite. His statements of plain fact were ably seconded by Messrs. Duffy and Smith, who have both served with distinction on the centre, and can speak with authority on matters pertaining to the control of swimming. Mr. Smith's remarks in reference to the non-attendance of the delegates at centro meetings were much to the point, and might well be ap- I plied to other clubs also. If delegates ! show a lack of interest in tho position to which they have been appointed, their club naturally suffers, and this may be ihe cause of criticism being levelled at the centre. Their criticism is in most cases without foundation, and is probably duo to the fact that clubs are not in tho position to know what the centre is doing. I owing to the lack of interest shown by their dclogutos. Ralph himself was the true type of delegate, and his enthusiasm and , ability while serving in that capacity sot a standard that was an object lesson by reason of its thoroughness. Given a centre composed of sound delegates progress is bound to follow, and there is always rooni for progress in any amateur sport. The centre's rule, which provides that if a. delegate is absent from three consecutive meetings without permission, he shall lose his seat, is sure to bo rigidly enforced in the coming season. Two important steps taken by tlio Royal Life-saving Society are those which provide, for a sub-committee to control all life-saving contests, and the adopting-of a set scale in the computing of points awarded for "time" in competitions. Some years ago a, surf association was formed with the object of controlling all life-sav-ing and surf compeiitions, but, despite the enthusiasm.. of two or three of its founders, very little support was forthcoming, and tho association gradually sank into oblivioi', and finall- became extinct. The Royal Life-saving- Society then interested itself in competitions, anj with tho offers of several trophies towards furthering this branch of the sport, a commencement was mado, and rules governing these competitions were drafted and adopted. As is only to be expected in tho initial stage of any now competitions, anw.ilicj oropH up and 'it wju> felt by .many o£ the clubs that they should have

:lirect representation, per medium of their delegates, on the body controlling tho competitions. The constitution of the iloyal Life-saying Society did not provide .or this, as its executive (which is the controlling body) was elected from the nambers of the society, and not from the delegates of the affiliated clubs, as is usual v most sports. So that in order to give slubs the right to have a voice in the management of contests in which they ire directly concerned, the Rojal Life-cav-ing Sooioty has now decided' to set up a special cub-committee, with its own secrotary, to be composed of delegates from all affiliated clubs, who will in future control all life-saving and surf competitions, i'iiis move is sure, to find favour amongst die life-savers, and will also have tile effect of lessening the work of the executive, which was becoming extremely ueavy on account of the rapid strides that uaye been mado in live-saving generally. >Vith regard to the new method of allocating points given for time registered'in a competition, satisfaction must be expressed at the solution of what wai a difficult and much-debated joint. In, previous contests the team securing the fastest ;iine generally established a good lead.on its rivals, and although recognising the importance of a quick rescue, it was felt Jiat many of the clubs were at a disadvantage in a competition where time counted bo much, owing to the fact that chey were possessed of no fast swimmers, ohat i», compared to other clubs. Of course, it oan be argued that time is essentially the most important parf of rescue work, and should be treated as such, and high marks given accordingly. At the same time; it must be remembered that the aim of the competitions is to promote all-round eSciency, and encourage the youngar members, many of whom are certainly under a handicap in comparison with other swimmers when it becomes & question of speed. Even though it may appear that a club possessed of 3everal first-class swimmers is being penalised because of t&oie swimmers (and it really is) the broader view of the question must be taken, and whatever complaint there may Be will be offset by tho universal satisfaction that' is being expressed with the new rule. In future, maximum points will be allotted to the fastest team. The next fastest; "will be deducted' half a point, third fastest one point, and so on. In a contest with ten teams engaged, the slowest team can only be penalised 4i points, which is, a much more equitable basis than previously, and in the coming contests no team can consider themselves .hopelessly out of the contest on account of poor time being put up, as was the caße last season.

In conferring a life membership on t Mr. J. Duffy, the Maranui Club has paid a tribute to one who for many years has rendered great service, to them. Although not at present engaged, in any active participation in the affairs of the club, the past work of Mr. Duffy has been so full of merit that recognition of it waa bound to come. He is probably the leading authority in' New Zealand on life saving 'matters generally, and at the last conference of the society held in Tim&ru, he was appointed official interpreter of all rules relating to competitions, which is in itself a testimony to his knowledge. Mr. Duffy is also educational officer to the Wellington Centre, N.Z.A.S.A., and his work in this direction has been exceptionally fine, from which it will be seen that he has not confined his abilities to purely club work alone, but has devoted much time and effort to the sport in all its phases. Joe has richly deserved his honour. TRYING OUT SURF BOATS.

There was a fairly good surf running last week-end, which provided ample opportunity. for ihe trying out of the surf boats at Lyall Bay. Although the breakers were not as big as have been experienced, they were of sufficient strength to keep the crews considerably on the. alert, and many good "shoots" were obtained. There were also some capsizes, which caused much amusement amongst the interested spectators, if not to ( the occupants of the boats, a few of whom are carrying bruises as a'result of these spills. However, these are taken as a matter of course,. but will doubtless become less numerous as the season goes on, and more experience is gained. The most responsible position :n the boats is that of the steer-oarsman, and at present these are being capably filled, by Eric Evans and Ted Hughes, for their respective clubs. The former man's experience, which he gained on tho Sydney beaches, is standing him in good stead.