SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 19, 23 January 1937, Page 23

SWIMMING

NO CHAMPIONSHIPS

COUNCIL'S DECISION

EPIDEMIC MEASURE

FIXTURES: Jan. 28.—Pelone Club Carnival, Riddiford Baths. Feb. 7.—Evans Bay Club Harbour Race (inter-club). Feb. 10. —Civil Service Tournament, Thorndon. Feb. 11.—Wellington Centre Carnival, Riddiford Baths. Feb. 15.—Greytown Club Carnival, Greytown. Feb. 20. —Peck Shield Harbour Race. Feb. 27.—Wellington Club Carnival, Te Aro. NATIONAL EVENTS. Abandoned.—Senior, Junior, Intermediate, and Maori Championships. Feb. 13 and 14.—Surf Championships, Lyall Bay. According to advice received from Christchurch yesterday, the council ! has decided to abandon all championships for the year. This is rather a blow to the northern centres particularly, tiiough there has been a doubt for some time as to whether it would be wise to hold the senior championships owing to the epidemic. It would have been the first occasion that the Taranaki Centre had conducted a national meeting, and from advices received the officials in New Plymouth were leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to make a big success of the championships. Additional accommodation had been provided, and it was estimated that ample seating would be available for at least two thousand people. A number of special weekend excursions were being run for the opening day, including one from Welling/on. This train was to leave on the Friday evening and return again on the Sunday evening, thus enabling patrons to view the first day's events and the Kellerman Cup harbour race on the next day. LOCAL TEAM. The selection of the local representative team was to be made after the Petone club's carnival on Thursday. It was not expected that a large number would be selected, but in all probability a water-polo team was to be sent, in which case the team would have been larger than for some time past. The local centre lost a considerable amount of their finances at the carnival held when the Australian swimmers were here, and were not in a position to render any assistance to the representatives. Several of last year's prominent competitors at the national championships are reported to be again swimming well, and competition at New Plymouth is likely to be keen. L. Newall, who created such a favourable impression at Dunedin and surprised by his victories in the distance events, is returning excellent times in his training, as are also the sprinters and middledistance performers, Frankham, Hanan, Symes, Crump, and others. Dave Lindsay is also striking something like his old form, as a recent trial over a quarter-mile proves. His reappearance at New Plymouth would have been one of the features of the championships. WATER POLO NIGHT The weekly water-polo night, which commenced last week, is going to be very popular with players and spectators alike. Although there were one or two hitches during the evening, they were not of any great consequence and are not likely to reoccur, while the action being taken in respect to matters benefiting players will undoubtedly add to the enjoyment of these evenings. Several of the games provided some good PW. particularly in the A grade, and the younger players in the lower grades should be able to learn much by viewing the better players in action, although it is noticeable among the latter that some are inclined to adopt tactics that are not in accordance with the spirit of the game. However, if, referees are firm in their control and the players do their part as well, trie game should reach a high standard,! and at the same time provide enjoyment to those who play it and pleasure to those who see it. THURSDAY'S CARNIVAL Breaststroke swimmers will have the opportunity of testing themselves fully on Thursday evening next, when the centre 220 yards championship will form one of the features of the Petone Club's carnival to be held at the Riddiford Baths. There are quite a number of promising exponents of this style, and although K. Spry will probably retain his title, the opposition is likely to be stronger than has been the case for many seasons past. Freestyle performers will have the. 440 yards championship to engage attention, and a useful field should face the starter. . Today's furlong race will give a guide as to how most of the competitorswill fare, but Frank Pennington should retain the title, with most opposition coming from Balfour, Thwaites, and Pelham. Other varied events on the programme make up a good evening's entertainment, and the young club should be rewarded with a crowded house for its first venture. POLO DRAW Owing to the above carnival being held on the usual water-polo night, : next week's games will be played on Wednesday, instead of Thuisday, Thorndon Baths. The draw is as follows:— C Grade. —Hataitai v. Lyall Bay A, 7 p.m.; Worser Bay v. Lyall Bay B, 7 B Grade. —Y.M.C.A. v. Wellington 8 nm- Maranui v. Worser Bay, 8.20 Se; Lyall Bay v. University, 9.20 p.m. A Grade. —Hutt v. Maranui, 8.40 nm- Lvall Bay v. Wellington, 9 p.m. Messrs V. L- Allan and B. Mclvor will be the referees.