It the Water

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1924, Page 19

It the Water

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

PROPOSED NORTH ISLAND

ASSOCIATION

LOCATION OP FUTURE CHAM-

PIONSHIPS,

FIXTUEES.

January 26 to February I—New Zealand Ka. tional Championships (Wanganui.) February 2.—Norden Cup, Canterbury v. Wellington (To Aro Baths). I'ebruary., IG—Evans Bay Club Annual Carnival (Evans Bay). ■> I'ebruary 2fc-Carterton and Greytown Clubs' Carnivals. ■ . ■ March S (approx.)—Wellington Club's Carnival (Te Aro Baths).

LIFE-SAVING FIXTURES. .February 3—Sanderson Cup (Paekakariki) February 2ft—School Challenge Shield (Te Aro Baths). March 1 and S-^Otaki Competitions. March 8 (approx.)r-WeUii>Eton Club's Carnival (Te Arp Baths.) Evans Bay, Institute (Ladies) dates to be arranged. March 1 and 2-Otaki Shield Competitions (Otaki). March 16^-Novice Shield (Island Bay); Dewgr Shield (date, to be arranged..)

(By "Header.")

As_ previously indicated in these columns, the proposal of the Auckland Centre with regard to the formation of a North Island Association did; not meet with the ap~proval of the local centre. Several members spoke on the matter, and although considering that the council had been lacking in some respects, they were decidedly of the opinion that the forming of a separate association would not remedy any existing faults of the council, nor would it be in the interests of swimming, A resolution to this effect was forwarded to the Auckland Centre with a suggestion that the matter be brought forward at the annual conference for discussion. Whether the Northern, body will do this.is not known, but there is no doubt that there is going to be a' lot said on this question, and conference will likely spend an hour or two on it, irrespective as to what centre brings the matter up. Delegates will learn a grat deal more .than they already know abont the suggested proposal, and it is possible that the council's attitude throughout, which appeirs to have been quite in order, will be strongly endorsed by a large number of the delegates. It has been stated in several quarters that the remitsfj-om the local centre suggesting that futnre championships be allocated five in the North Island to two in the South, is a snre way to bring about the formation of separate associations, bnt this is not so. The idea of the remit has alra.dy.- been explained, and when' the local delegates havq spoken to the remit, it is expected to have the support of conference,,althongh the ratio suggested is. likely to be considerably reduced rbefore it is finally adopted.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

The national champipnships will be continued on Monday, Wednesday, and '■t'riday evenings, and should be productive _of some great racing. The senior men's events^-ii2o. yards, rifciO yards, and 440 yards—will be contested in that order, £>ne distance, on. each night. In the fiA'strnamed. event the. titleJiolder, -Batchelor, *iH meet with strong opposition from Knwright, Murreli,- and Uiaridge. The-latter has. been suffering from a strained.shoulder, and did not do any swimming at all last week. This, will have an effect on his showing, but he is in good condition physically, which is something in. his fayour. En Wright won the Auckland championship over the distance in smart time,, the fastest so far recorded' this season, and will be ; very close'up at the finish. Murrell has not been seen over the furlong this - season, and if the IQO yards and the mile have not taken too mu.ch out of hint this afternoon, he, too,, should be in the picture. Cunijold and Atkinsoii are. also probable starters, as is Patterson, but on performance.?, sq far recorded they do not appear tq have any- chance, of defeating Bachelor or Enwright, although Gunnold may secure a minor ■ place.' Batchelor is swimming very well qver the middle distances at present and if he is to be beaten it will be by Enwright, with Claridge a possibility. The halfmile will be a good contest, as, Cunnold, Atkinson, Hill, Batchelor, Claridge, and Murrell are all strong over this distance, and the winner will' have to swim hard all the way. Atkinson's, win at the Canterbury championships proved him to be in great fettle, and his time (12min 14 2-ssec) is a fine swim for fresh water, and 17 l-ssec faster than Hill registered last; year at Timaru. Cunnold's record is 12min 1 4-ssec, which he registered in salt water, but he is not likely tp do it this time at Wanganuj. Never t theless, he is a great half-niiler, and whoever heads him off will win. He has won this event previously (1921), arid acted as runner-up to Batchelqr in 1922, but did not compete last year. Batchelor will improve on his Christchnrch effort, but will probably concentrate on the, shorter distances. Murrell's second to Hill last' year was a good performance, but he should be in better condition now, as the harbour swim—-his first and second day's efforts— should sharpen him up. Condition will tell in this race, as the pace will be on all the way. Claridge has accomplished some good swims over this distance as an intermediate, but he, too, seems to be specialisingl over the shorter distances. Hill will find -the pace too hot in the early stages, and the leaders will take some catching. Despite his gameness, his chances of retaining the title do not appear very bright. Cunnold, Atkinson, and Murrell should fill the places. The 440 yards championship, if taken on performances^ looks to be a repetition of the Canterbury championships in which Batchelor beat Atkinson by three yards in the splendid time of smin 45 2-ssec, which is, only threefifths of a second outside Cunneld's record. The latter boy won the Auckland championship in smin 53. 2-ssec, beating Ejiwrigrht by six yards, while Murrell's and Claridge's time was smin 58sec. From this "it does not seem as ifißatcheIqr will lose his title, but Cunnold will make a bold showing, and keep the champion moving all the way, as will also Atkinson. Claridge may do better than his performance of a fortnight ago, and Murrell should benefit by the rac,ing, while Eiiwright can be depended upon to swim a good race. Batchelor, Cunnold, and Atlcinson are likely placegetters. If Jtha quarter and half-mile events have Co be decided in heats, and : finals, calculations may be somewha,t upset, but no doubt every effort .jvill be made to avoid this. Of the other men's events —diving, 150 yards backstroke, and 220 yards breaststroke —most interest will centre on the last-named. F. Boulton, the present champion, is reported as swimming as well as ever, but he will find it difficult to dispose of Herd, who is putting up some fine performances in Christchurch. His recent 3min 8 2-ssec for the .distance, in a swim-over, is great time for this style of race, and he will be the winner. Albert Claridgo will be. close up, and should be in a place, although Morris (Auckland) and Lewis (Otago) can be relied upon to BVfim good racos, as will Evait, wiin looks very fit. In the backstroke, Atkinson and Moorhpiue should fight

out the finish, unless Batchelor improves on his Christchurch effort, which is not likely. Evatt will swim in this event, | but may not be up to the standard of the others. The diving will be a star item with Walker (champion), Voi'ght, Cameron, Hicks, and others engaged. If the local man dives up to form, he will win, but he cannot afford to make any mistakes, as the other competitors are very consistent, and at times brilliant, ihe senior ladies will compete over yards (breaststroke) on Monday, 440 yards on Wednesday, and 220 yards on Friday. Miss Shand should win both the latter events without any serious opposition, but the breaststroke event is difficult to estimate. This is a new event, and will largely be a question of stamina. The local entrant (Miss Imandt) is possessed of this qualification and may be prominent at the finish. Another new event is the ladies' diving championship, which will be contested on lines similar to the men's. Miss Foote (Otago) and Miss Bristed (Canterbury) should be prominent in this' event.

The intermediates' remaining distance are: Boys' 880 yards and ICO yards free style, and 100 yards breaststroke, and girls 75 yards and 100 yards. The half-mile for boys should see Lindsay playing a prominent part, and Barker should also be there at the finish. 'The local entrant, Watson, may gain'third placA.but is, hardly, likely to .beat either Lindsay or Barker.. I)ows.ett is. a smart sprinter, and may not see out the distance, but Stokes (Canterbury) appears a stayer. In the 100 yards, Dowsett's recent fine swim will make him a, strong fancy- for the event', and he is hardly \hkely to be beaten. M'Tigue should be his most serious opponent. The entrants for the breaststroke event are an unknown quantity; but if Boyd is now up in the intermediate grade'he should be the hardest to beat. Miss Piri Page should account for the intermediate girls' races, with the Misses Mather, Bell, and Jepson closely following in the minor places.

The junior boy champion for the 440 yards, H. Bridson, will have to do better time than last year if fye is to retain his title. The local representative Fitch, is certain to swim a tine race, and he will take a lot of beating. The former boy should no doubt have improved, and it should be a good race between these two. Of the junior girls, Miss Coutts (Auckland) appears to hold her opponents safe as regards individual times so far' recorded this season, and she is a prospective title-holder for the free style events. In the breaststroke events Miss Breward was regarded as unbeatable, but she is not making the trip, in which case Miss Breen should show up prominently.

THE NORPEN- CUP.

Whas promises to be the finest swim,ming carnival of the season, or perhaps since the chsmgipnahips were held here, is to take place next Saturday afternoon at the Te Aro. Batha. The "occasion is the annual competition, for the Norden Cup between the provinces of Canterbury- and Wellington. The coctest is for/ teams of seven, each of whom engage in diving, flying squadron, and water polo, with the host men from each district competing there is s.ure to be a keen ??w? st- Batchelor, Atkinson, Hill, and M Tigue, to mention a few of the Southern cracks, and Murrell, Claridse, A\heeley, and Paterson. are performers. well worth watching. It is in the other mterclub events, however, that- some great racing will be witnessed, as all the Otago representatives and the leading performers of Canterbury will be competing,, so tha.t theve will be no com-, plaint on the score of high-class talent.' Miss Gwitha Shand will in. all probability be a competitor, and the brilliancy of her swimming alone should be sufficient to _ draw the crowds. Then, .-*-: in, the diving competition will see" a>; the leading divers of-the'Dominion in action and with Walker, Voight, Cameron, Micks, and others performing, this event should prove the most spectacular of its kind ever seen locally. Comic items are also included on the programme, which, by its excellence, should be the means of drawing a record crowd to the Te Aro Baths. C. Herd, of the United Club (Christchurch), will make an attempt to lower the- existing record for the 220 yards breaststroke, and should be successful if conditions'are favourable.

The Worser Bay Club were favoured with glorious weather for their ann.ua) carnival, and the popularity of this sea side resort was reflected 'in the very larga. attendance. The programme offered wa3 a varied one, and kept the interest of the spectators right throughout the day. Proceedings commenced with a four : man life-saving competition for the Wahler Cap, which resulted 'in an extremely popular win for the home club, whose A team gave an excellent exhibition, and retain, the cup for another year. The'Lyall Bay and Maranui A teams also gave a good display; and filled the othsr two places, but appeared to lack training in this style of run-out, with the result that their work was not so cleanly executed as- that of the winners. Captain Gallagher had' his team in. fine command, and this was again reflected in the march past competition, which was also won by the home team, with Lyall Bay and Maranui equal second. The swimming races were all well contested, and there were some very close finishes. Bill 4 Look scored a popular win in the 50 yards open event, although he did not have much to spare from Jones. Theresas, a good entry in the breaststroke race, which was contested in two heats and a final. Albert Claridge won the first heat comfortably, as did Evatt the second, and the final was a good race between these two, but the | senior representative for Wanganni swam in grea^-style and won by a yard and.a half from Evatt. The -100 yards interclub was also productive of some good racing, and the win. of W. Henry (Worser Bay) was well ' received. He was well out in the handicap, and just lasted long enough to' win from Dawkins an.d Barrett, who went a fine race. The winner lias not raced for seme seasons, but now that he has made a successful "come-back" ,he should be heard of again later on. When in form he could cover a sprint distance very smartly. Fred Mollier again swam, a splendid race in the 220 yards interclub, and his win from the scratoh mark, was q, meritoriousone. He was conceding 34sec to the limit man, but swimming strongly right throughout he had caught his fiejd at the 200 yards mark, and staying on in his usual solid. fashion, he secured the verdict from Les Dawkins, who also finished strongly and again swam a good race. Mollier's time was 2min 55sec— a ;good performance over a ..straight course.

Miss Gwitha Shand will be representing the Canterbury, province at the national championships, which commenced to-day. The Aucklanders. were very keen to secure her services, but, as indicated' in these notes previously, Miss Shand chose the Southern province. This will mean fifteen points to Canterbury for the Yaldhurst Shield, which trophy they now seem certain to retain for a further term of a year. The War Memorial Shield (intermediate and junior) looks like going to Auckland on this occasion.

Both the Lyall Bay and Maranui Clubs •will have teams competing in the Nelson Shield Life-saving Competition, which is to take- place on the Castleeliff beach next Tuesday. Although the teams will not be the best that the clubs can turn out, it is confidently expected that they will make a good showing. A win for either af these vluba would he very popular locally,