SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1927, Page 22

SWIMMING

By 'Header ' THE WEST COAST DATES OF CHAMPIONSHIPS CLASH WITH ROYAL TOUR The decision reached between the Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, and Wellington Centres in regard to the inauguration of West Coast championships has taken definite shape and the nrst gathering is set down for 4th and sth March. The Wanganui Centre will be the controlling body, and the championships are to be contested at the Avenue Baths in that city. Although the local centre is greatly in favour of f L »ew procedure, it. is extremely doubtful if the dates allocated are favourable to representation. The financing of a team is, of course, a stumbling block, as the centre's funds are in a very low state, but the chief consern seems to be the selection of good swimmers, who can spare the necessary time to make the trip. The majority of the stars" have recently returned from either the national championships or the life-saviifg contests, and further .cave for them, presents a difficulty. Again, sth March is the date of arrival of the Duke and, Duchess of York, and as parades will be the order of the day, most of the swimmers will be required for that "duty. It does not seem, therefore, as if Wellington will have other than slender chances of being represented at.the initial meeting, but it is nevertheless hoped that two or three swimmers "may be able to go to Wanganui and do their best for the centre. A postponement of the date would have been favourably received locally. Activity at Thorndon. After a dormant season last year, the Thorndon Club has renewed its activities, and it is pleasing to record that its energies arc being rewai-dedl •Several races for members have been held recently, with good results, and a continuation of this policy will, do much to restore the club to its former prestige. Although the few enthusiasts-working in the club's interests have not, perhaps, received the encouragement and support in the riast that their efforts warranted, their perseverance is now likely to bear fruit, and this will be good news to all followers of the sport. As an indicatijii of the desire to progress, it is mentioned that the club will hold a carnival on Tuesday next at the Thorndon Bath 3, when all the best-known local talent will be competing. A departure _. from tlie usual is being made in that"the carnival will be held at night time, and as, this is the first to^be held in the city for two seasons it only requires a favourable evening for the gathering ■to be well patronised. . Club at Featherston.

Another new club has sprung into be-ing—-Featherston. . Swimming in the Wairarapa is progressing, and the formation of the new club, should make it more so. Naturally, in the ' smaller towns, it is sometimes a matter of difficulty to keep the enthusiasm going, but it ■is;"nnaerstpod that : "ik::the case.-:of Featherston aN good response" is"-"being made to the efforts of the promoters, and a firmly-established club will be the .result. Application for affiliation has already been made, and in a busi-ness-like manner the club has ■ arranged a carnival, which is taking place this afternoon. Several town swimmers are making the. trip to assist the new club in its first venture. '■'•.■• Unsportsmanlike. -.-■■•■ There has been a great deal of. comment on the action of the Lyalj Bay Club in not starting, a .team in. the Walker and Hall Cup Flying Squadron, which event was contested at the club's annual carnival. The writer may not have the true reason for the scratching, but if it is as stated, viz., that because one of their best swimmers was absent, and the chances of success were nil,-then the-least that can be said ofsuch an attitude is that it was very unsportsmanlike. There have been occasions, when the club's representatives have been well, out "of the race, but a 'team;always', competed,'and one would have .similar action on this ;occasion.';.-.r'/It .looks as if one /or. two swimmers ■, are imbibed with anything but the club spirit, \which_ is in direct contrast-to that of. the Thorndon members, who, although 1 knowing they had no possible Chance of winning, still competed.- The Lyall Bay-Club is not usually associated, with this kind of happening, and some of the.dnicials were not aware of 'their -team's default until the start was to take, place. That they resented the occurrence was evident, and possibly some plain speaking has been indulged-in ere/now. It would be deserved. .'

Wellington Club's. Carnival. The Wellington Club has been faced with a difficulty in arranging a date for their annual carnival. Actually to-day was the original time fixed, but owing to numerous counter-attractions it was deemed wiser to^postpone the fixture until a later date. The sth March was then suggested, but the club was faced with the same difficulty as that attache to the team for the West Coast championships, viz., members are required to parade, on the occasion of the arrival of4he Duke and Duchess of I York. However, arrangements are now being made to hold the carnival on 12th March, and provided nothing unforeseen happens this date will be adhered to. A vaiied programme of events, catering for all classes of swimmers has been drawn up, and will be issued shortly. Trip to Carterton. , Several swimmers made the: trip to Carterton last; week-end, and thoroughly enjoyed the outing. A fair percentage of success went to the visitors, but the . going astray of the handicaps made the starter's job anything but a pleasant one. However, that official did good work, and the programme was completed without any untoward happening. The presence of the champion lady swimmers (Misses Stoekley and Miller) was a decided attraction, as was also the swimming of D. P. Lindsay, the present middle and long distance champion, who accompanied the ladies. The latter three accomplished much fine work in instructional and demonstrative swimming during their stay in Carterton, and. beneficial results should follow. Maranui on Tour. On their return from the life-saving competitions the Maranui Club made a short tour, embracing Palmerston North and Masterton. Unfortunately the weather conditions caused a postponement of the carnival arranged in the firstnamed place, but the programme was adhered to at Masterton, although conditions were on the cool side. In addition to competing in the various events, the club members also gave displays of life-saving, which were enthusiastically approved ,by large audiences of "school children and adults.