WELLINGTON CENTRE OPENS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 145, 16 December 1933, Page 24

WELLINGTON CENTRE OPENS

The official opening by tho W oilington Centre on Saturday afternoon last was exceptionally well attended by swimmer*, and the competition provided by the respective clubs was full of intorest. In doclaring the season open, Mr. W. Gerrie, chairman of the centre, «xpressed tho belief thiat the prospects for 1933-34 were fright, and anticipated that good progress would be made. He- also gave it as his opinion that the tepid baths "were nearer to realisation than ever before, and those present expressed the hope that the prediction was correct. . ( Most interest of the afternoon centred around the ■ reappearance of W. Cameron, and it is safe to say that every watch in the baths, antiquated or otherwise, was on him when he competed in the 50 yards handicap of the Lyall Bay Chib, He was conceding starts up to 12aec, and although he failed to gain the major honours, he swam an exceptionally fine race to gain third place to Melvor and Eyan, to whom he was giving 4sec and ssec respectively. His time can be accepted as 24sec, which is good for bo early in tho season, and is the fastest time yet produced in the Dominion. When in top form, Cameron is sure to improve on these figures.

J. Blakclcy demonstrated that he is well forward in racing condition by securing an easy win in the 220 yards handicap for the Commemoration Cup. Swimming well within himself, and obviously casing up over the last seventy yards, he completed the distance in 2min 34sec, which is easily the best time he has put up so. early in any season. He will register some fast times later on.

The breaststroke exponent, K. Spry, is showing fair form and should be in good condition for the national championships in February next. He was overdoing the looking round habit on Saturday last, and should drop it, otherwise he will run into ditqualineation some day.