Swimming (By "Header.") MAORI CHAMPIONSHIPS Test at Murrayfield. WHAREAITU AND PELHAM. WORSER BAY'S OPENING GENERAL NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 138, 7 December 1935, Page 24

Swimming

(By "Header.") MAORI CHAMPIONSHIPS

Test at Murrayfield.

WHAREAITU AND PELHAM.

WORSER BAY'S OPENING

GENERAL NOTES

doubt be guided by the • International Federation.

COMING CONTEST

A LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE?

As an indication of the progress the sport is making with our Native race, there will be decided this season the first national Maori championships. There have been signs during recent years that the Maori people were becoming actively interested and engaged in the serious side of competitive swimming, and when the proposal was made last year that consideration be given to the establishment of a separate championship meeting for Maori competitors only, the" annual conference of delegates unanimously supported the proposal. Subsequently the New Zealand Council approved the decision.

Although for the present the programme of events is not as comprehensive as the open national championships, still the equivalent of the senior events is provided for, and at least a two-day programme has been arranged. The conduct of this first meeting is under the control of the South Auckland centre, and present indications are that the venue will be Eotorua, with a possibility of one of

"Sport and General" Photo. MR. C. H. GADNEY, a leading English Rugby referee, who controlled the New Zealand-Scotland

the days being allotted to Ohinemutu. At the present time these towns are practically the home of Maori swimming, but it is hoped that the creating of the separate championships will offer a stimulus to this branch of sport, as has been the case with Rugby, tennis, etc. ' "

There does not seem to be any doubt that the sensational performances of W. Whareaitu have been the means of inducing others of his race to take up the sport seriously. Today there are several of his fellow-competitors in his district who are even now up among the top-notchers of the Dominion, and the forthcoming championships will be'certain to produce some spirited contests and first-class performances. The Maoris, as a rule, are natural born swimmers, and many know of their exploits in the water, particularly in under-water swimming, at which they are very adept.

Several of them in various parts of the Dominion have participated in races, but more for the enjoyment than from the point of view of being a champion. It was left to Dick Pelham 'to prove that that class could be reached, however, and some ten years ago he surprised the public by turning on a performance that was as outstanding as it was unexpected. This was in the quarter-mile championship, and the ease with which he won his heat made the spectators (and his opponents) sit up and take notice.

Many thought it was a flash in the pan, and that he had an easy heat, but when he ran away with the final and reduced the record by some 15sec he silenced the doubting ones in no uncertain manner. Although this particular performance was probably the highlight of Dick's career, yet he continued to put up several fine efforts and was undoubtedly one of the best middledistance swimmers produced in New Zealand. Even allowing for the passing of time, given similar opportunities for training as last year, Pelham would still be capable of holding his own in the best company.

As an indication of his ability, it can be mentioned that he just missed gaining the title of New Zealand's champion beltman at the surf championships last season, and it took a star swimmer like Walter Jarvis to beat him! Provided he can get the required training, Dick would appear certain of being selected as representative from the Wellington centre, and a worthy one he would be.

There • was an excellent attendance of members at the Worser Bay Club's opening last week, and prospects for the season' are . considered as; being very favourable. This is jubilee year for the club, and members are out to make it so in every sense. The young material available last year, showed definite improvement, and a continuation of the building-up process will soon bring good results.

Although there is little likelihood of any carnivals being staged until after the New Year, the centre's official opening next Saturday afternoon should give a line on how local competitors are shaping. The usual'procedure of asking each club to stage a club race is being, followed, and as this will be almost, the first racing*of the season large entries are expected for the respective events.

The Petone Club was exceptionally well represented at the Worser Bay opening, and in this respect they showed an excellent example to other clubs. They entered freely into the open events, and their captain, J. Cleland, was successful in winning the inter-club handicap of 50 yards. He was the scratch man, and mowed down the field in fine style.

Although not gaining a place, Miss Strang, of the Petone Club, swam a good race, and promises to be well in the picture' in the decision of ladies' inter-club events during the season.

A. Hepburn, who has been a keen and solid member of Worser Bay for many seasons, scored a good win in the club handicap. He finished strongly to. cut. out Newport and Bell near the post and won going away.

That great stalwart of Worser Bay, Vie Allen, has not struck his water form yet. although he was well in the race half-way through, fading out at the-finish. He showed his versatility, however, by putting in a fast sprint in the beach relay race to give his team victory.