SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 53, 4 March 1927, Page 16

SWIMMING

By 'Header '

DOMINION'S STATUS

ENCOURAGEMENT OF STARS

THE LOCAL CARNIVALS

The recent conference of delegates held at -Auckland .during the national championships discussed many matters of interest, chief of which was that concerning the encouragement that should be given to our star swimmers, who of recent years have progressed in a manner entitling them to be pitted against swimmers of other countries as a test of their capabilities. Particularly does this apply in tin ease of the men swimmers, who for many seasons now have not had the opportunities that prevailed when Australasian championships were in vogue. The ladies have demonstrated their right to hold their own with some of .the world's best, and time will show that they are still capable in this direction. Admitting that the fair sex have raised the standard to a high degree, the men are now demonstrating their right to be considered, and it was the feeling of the delegates that. ways and means should be arrived at to give the topnotchers the encouragement they deserve. Many propositions were put forward and discussed, and after the matter had been thoroughly ventilated, Wellington's remit, asking for negotiations with the Australian Union for an interchange of visits, was agreed to. If the union is favourable, an immense amount of good should bo the result, and, although Charlton stands out amongst the Australian swimmers (or the world's for that matter), the following comparison of times at the Australian and New Zealand championships prove that we are not as backward as may be imagined:— 100 yards AW>- N%*?| lUl<L Ifo^J::::: 1:11:1 f^:i SSO yards 11.3.13-5 11.25 3-H 1 mllo 24.111-5 23.30-1-5 220 yds hreaststroke. 3.8 3-5 3.T 3-5 Championship Form. Jones (West Australia) and Lindsay (Now Zealand) were successful in the 440, 880, and 1 mile championships, and the manner of their wins are interesting. Jones won the quarter-mile by a touch, Lindsay by 19 2-ssec, both times being the same. In the half-mile, Jones ■won by 18sec, Lindsay 37 3-ssec, the latter's race time being lOsec better than the Australian's. Over the mile Jones won his event easily, Lindsay won by lmin 29 3-sscc, and in swimming time the latter was faster by M r 2-ssec. Allowing for the fact that Jones would not be all out over the longer distances, neither was Lindsay, and with fast pacemakers the Christehurch youth would return better times than previously, and place him second only to Clinrlton. Hoard returned better time than Stcadman in the breast-stroko race, but there is very little between the two. In the shorter distances, however, the Australians show out to advantage. Henry's time ±or the 100 yards was 2 2-ssec faster than that of Adnmson, the winning margin in both cases being a touch, drier won the 220 yards in 5 2-ssec faster than Lindsay recorded, the former winning by a touch and the latter 'a margin being throe yards. In both distances the times are not as good as can be recorded, but even our present sprint records are not yet up to a par with Australia. However, that does not say that our sprinters could not make a race of it. With strong opposition they are nkcly to do better than ever, and with our other cracks put forward a showing that would possibly surprl.se our friends across tho water, and incidentally inoroi than one in this country.

Hutt Carnival.

Although the Hutt Club were forced to postpono their carnival on account of tho unsuitable weather, conditions were quite favourable for tho gathering on tho Thursday night. A splendid attendanco witnessed tho various events, and there seems little doubt that, tho sport will catch on at tho suburban town if more carnivals can be satisfactorily staged there. Tho baths looked a picturo, and thero is no question that they aro second to none in New Zealand. Competitors found the water .somewhat colder than tho majority aro usod to, and times suffered in consequence, but tho racing was closo and interesting throughout. Taken all round tho carnival was efficiently managed, and the club is to bo congratulated on the success attending its first real effort.

Thcro was a good field in the secondclass handicap, and the three heats were productive of good rating. The final was very closely contested, and Hearing the finish Tuppin headed Allen, but the veteran finished strongly and won by a touch. Carruthers was close up third. In the first-class event the ultimato winni-.-, Smith (Worser Bay) made the most of his handicap in both tho heat and final, registering comfortable wins in each case. The Cameron brothers and Leask 1 provid. d some fast sprinting, but found tho handicap a shade too much, although W. Cameron gained third place. One of tho closest finishes was tho final of tho 100 yds breast-stroke. Hepburn and Humphrey wore first out, followed by Riddel! and Claridge, tho oack-markers gradually making up ground over the first two laps. As they turned for tho final stretch tho four wore all out and it was a very keen struggle, but Hepburn just maintained his advantage by a fraction from Claridge, Eiddell, and Humphrey, who were in a bunch. Clarydgo appeared lucky to bo given second honours. Eix-Trott accounted for the 220 yds in good style, and at the finish had a comfortable margin over Pal nier. The latter boy is showing <y oo d form at present, and will be prominent m future seasons. He competed in every event lie was eligible for including diving, yet did not appear at all distressed. He has a future. Wellington Club had no difficulty in annex ing_ the 500 yds relay race, making up their handicap without effort and leaving Eix-Trott an easy task to win Miss f'nn 1?^ 3* as unlucky in the ladies' 100 yds handicap, as she was in a winning position when her cap slipped over i-.er eyes aud caused her to finish at the side of tho bath. The diving was nothing outstanding, and there could not have ljeen much between Cameron and Palmer. The latter's knowledge of tho board enabled him to win.