SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 120, 16 November 1929, Page 24

SWIMMING

•3 V "HeXdehNATIONAL MEETING

WEST COAST'S HONOUR

COUNCIL FIXES DATES

It seems hard to realise that the National Championships are only ,two months away, but such is the' case, the dates accepted by the council being 23rd to 29th January inclusive. The controlling body on thi3 occasion is the West Coast Centre (formerly the Westland Ofentre), and for the first time in the history of the championships the venue will be on that part of the SouthIsland. Needless to say, the sports down that way are not only looking forward with interest to the holding of such an important gathering, but are setting themselves out to make as big a success of the meeting as other centres hay% done. The keen supporters of swimming in the Coast vicinity have kept the sport going under many adverse conditions, sc that it seems only fair that "they .should be allowed to conduct the National Championships. The effect of this will no doubt be reflected in a stimulated interest in swimming, the value of which should be apparent for some time to come. It has been contended in some . quarters that as the Coast is o^f the main lines of route, the support forthcoming from other centres will not be as great as is usual; but, although this may be the case in one or two minor instances, the general opinion seems to be that the larger centres will be more than well represented. Certain it is that there will be a good trek of swimmers and supporters from the local brigade, all of whom arc looking forward to the trip with a great deal of pleasure. The commencing date of the National championships is a Thursday. The meeting will be continued on the followinoday (Friday), and-again on. the Monday and -Wednesday, concluding on the last-named day. The Kellerman Cup race, three miles, is set down for the 26th January. Lake Moana will be the venue. Programme Alterations. Some alterations have been made in the official programme, affecting the senior events. The 100 yards ladies' championship has been deleted from the first day's events, the 440 yards being substituted. The' former race will be on the last day's programme. In the men's section the distance events have been changed,, and will be contested as follows:—Second day, 880 yards; third day, 440 yards; fourth day, 220 yards. There is likely to be some opposition to the alterations made, mainly because the programme as formerly drawn up, and adopted, has found favour for several years. That, of course, is no argument that it shouldalways be followed, and the fact that the present programme has been approved by the New Zealand Council would indicate that the new programme should not present any difficulties in the way of being successfully carried out. At the^ jame time, the distance swimmers may not welcome the straight out downward sequence of their events from the mile to the furlong on the four days. The varying of the distance's on respective days seems to be universally adopted and acceptable to competitors, who, after all, should know best. New Records Passed. The following is the list of New Zealand records as recently passed by the council:— v . Fresh Water. 100 Yards Free Style.—l. W. Cameron (Wellington), 56 4-osee, 13th February, 1929, at Hastings. ' 100 Metres Free Style.—l. W. Cameron (Wellington), 65 4-ssec, 7th March, 1929, at Christchurch. 220 Yards Breaststroke.—Len Smith (Wanganui), 3min 48sec, 21st' January 1929, at Wanganui. . Intermediate Girls.—7s yards, breast.stroke: Miss M. Mathieson (Dunedin), Imin 5 4-ssec, 24th January, 1929, at Dunedin. * ' • Junior 80y5.—75 yards breaststroke: Reg. Geddis (Dunedin), 61sec, 24th January, 1929, at Dunedin. Salt Water. Men.—loo Yards Free Style: I. W. Cameron (Wellington), 55 4-osec, 2nd February, 1929, at Wellington. 220 Yards Free Style.—G. Bridson (Auckland), 2min 29sec, 27th March 1929, at Auckland. 150 Yards Backstroke.—L. J. Moorhouse (Canterbury), Imin 52 1-ssee, 4th February, 1929, at Wellington. Ladies.—so Yards Free Style: Miss E Stoekley (Auckland), 28 2-ssee, sth March, 1929,.at Auckland. 100 Yards Free Style.-^Miss E. Stockley (Auckland), 65sec, 27th March 1929, at Auckland. ) 100 Metres Free Style.—Miss E. Stoekley (Auckland), Imin 11 4-ssec, 27th March, 1929, at Auckland. 440 Yards Free Style.—Miss K. Miller (Wellington), 6min 6 2-ssee 9th February, 1929, at Wellington. 100 Yards Breaststroke.—Miss E. Stoekley (Auckland), Imin 16 2-ssec 18th April, at Auckland.. ' 100 Metres Backstroke.—Miss E Stoekley (Auckland), Imin 24 2-ssec' 30th April, 1929, at Auckland. ' Intermediate Girls.—loo Yards Free Style: Miss P. Robertson (Auckland) 65 3-ssec, 19th February,' 1929, at Wellington. Junioivßoys.—7s" Yards BreaststrokeR. Geddis (Otago), 60 4-ssec, 4th' February, 1929, at Wellington. Junior Girls.—loo Yards BreaststrokeMiss J. Webster (Auckland), 42 l-ssec 22nd January, 1929, at Auckland. ' Two of.the records established at the last National Championships at Te Aro—Alec. Stokes's 2.31 for the 220 yards free style, ana Miss Stocklev's 1.17 4-5 for tho 100 .yards backstrokehave been improved upon. The above list gives tho new times. Eaird Comes Back. A return to the ranks of active competitors is being made by A. Baird, who will figure, in the sport at Auckland during the coming season. This fine distance swimmer was one of the best yet produced in New Zealand, and a return to the form he displayed a few years ago will make him a dangerous rival to national title-holders. He flashed into prominence at the championship meeting held at Napier in 1926, winning all the distance events and establishing three records. Each win was accomplished easily, without any apparent undue exertion. Big things were expected of him at that time, but in'the succeeding year he collapsed during the progress of the mile championship after covering nearly a quarter of the distance. Actually he was swimming against medical advice, and it was no surprise, therefore, when he dropped out of the sport. However, he is evidently in good health again, ready to get into form with a view to regaining his former prominence. His contests with Bridson and Lindsay will be of interest.