NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Evening Star, Issue 19775, 27 January 1928, Page 11

NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

[By Hooker.]

A RUNNING REVIEW

With the Now Zealand national swimming and diving championships, at the time of writing, still in progress, it is impossible to give a general summary af the swimming at present, the writer laving adopted the expedient of reviewing the swimming day by day. OPENING SESSIONS. lit view of the marked advance that lias been made in speed swimming in New Zealand in the past two or three years it was only to be expected that when swimmers such as 1). P. Lindsay, Norman Dowsett, Miss Ena Stocklcy, md Miss K. Miller, not to mention promising performers in the lower classes, were accorded the opportunity of having a tilt at existing fresh-water records at a national championship meeting some of the figures on the books would be hound to be erased. The national championship meeting which commenced on Saturday was the first New Zealand fixture since freshwater and salt-water records have been recognised separately. The previous two championship meets—at Auckland and Napier—were held in salt water, and many new marks were scut, most of the Iresh-water records existing prior to the present meeting having been established at the least three or four years ago, while many of them have stood for fourteen or fifteen years. Even so,, it was rather remarkable that on no fewer than eleven occasions were existing figures bettered and one otli<;r equalled, though these;covered six events. The Dunedin water is undoubtedly slower than the salt water of Auckland and Napier, but there is little, doubt that it is faster than many of us have been led to believe in the past. Without, a doubt, D. P. Lindsay’s win in the one-mile men’s national championship represented one of the finest performances of the first day’s carnival, for though he was not extended Lindsay returned the splendid lime of 24min 14 4-osec, which was 47sec better than M. E. Champion’s fourteen-year-old fresh-water record. At Auckland last year Lindsay also established a new salt-water mark of '-Minin 36 4-ssec. Lindsay set out in the mile to force the pace from the start, and ho was never headed, eventually winning by 60yds after an exhibition that delighted everyone present. Lindsay has a wonderful arm stroke, getting a very long reach and making a quick recovery, while his leg beats are well-timed throughout. Still, while famous American coaches have put down the proportions to which speed is due ns five-eighths to the arm stroke and three-eighths to tho leg action, it may bo said of Lindsay that he is an ■exception, for, while his leg action is rhythmical, it is to his arms that his great speed is largo due, though his legs give him a splendid body balance. Though'well beaten by Lindsay, A. 'l'. F. Stokes, Canterbury’s second string in the mile national championship, was far from disgraced, and it is just his misfortune to be pitted against so outstanding a swimmer as Lindsay. In ordinary years Stokes would bo fully capable of winning tho mile, and in being runner-up he proved himself to be a swimmer of much more than average merit. He has a slower stroke than Lindsay, and his recovery is not so pronounced: but his leg action is good, and by the time theso notes appear in print he should have collected further points for his province. Though he finished nearly five lengths behind Lindsay, Otago’s representative in the mile, C. J. M'Lcan, acquitted himself quite' l well, and actually bettered tho standard time of 26sec. AVliile he possesses undoubted staying powers, M‘Lean has not got tho dash of the other two. competitors, though his performance in this event should encourage him to concentrate upon the longer dLtanccs. His stroke has improved a lot, and ho is getting a longer reach than previously.

Few better races have ever been seen in Dunedin than the 100yds ladies’ national championship, in which Otago shared the shield [mints with Auckland. Miss Ena Stockley was the favorite for this event, hut she had the race of her life to heat Miss K. Miller by a bare touch. Doth Miss Stockley and Miss Miller bettered Miss (i with a, Shand's fresh water record of (iftsec, Miss Stockley’s time being (iS 3-hsec, and Miss Miller's OS 4-osec. Miss Stockley had a 2yds advantage at the second turn, but Miss Miller lengthened her stroke over (he last length, and had there been another 2yds to swim she would have beaten Miss Stockley. It, would not surprise the writer to see the Otago girl turn the tables on the titleholder when the pair trip across to Australia next month.

Miss Stockley has had a remarkably successful career in New Zealand swimming, and Saturday's victory marked her fourth successive win in the It%ds ladies’ championship. In 11)2-1 Miss Stockley swam second at Wanganui to Miss tlwitha Shand over this distance, but since then she, has been supreme over Jooyds, though other stars arc now beginning to rise. Miss Stockley does not get the thrust with her shoulders that Miss Miller does in bringing her arms over, and there is just a suspicion of an uneven pull with one arm. Still, she has a powerful stroke, which is quicker than Miss Miller’s, and her leg action leaves little to bo desired. Otago secured second and third place in this event, and Miss Miller practically shared the honors with Miss Stockley. Had Miss Miller found her correct stroke in the first length the result might have been different, for she went the best hundred of her career in bettering the old figures. She swam a great last length, quickening both arm action and leg beats to good purpose.

Miss M. Jcpson finished third, but is not showing the same clash as last season, She gets a long reach with her arms, but practically brings thorn round sideways, and until she changes her stroke high honors arc not likely to come her wav.

Miss I). Ma geo scarcely swain up to the form she was credited with in Auckland, and had to lower her colors to Miss Miller in her heat. She qualified for the final, but unfortunately was indisposed, and was unable to start.

Norman Dowsctt, of Wanganui, is probably as speedy a swimmer over 100yds as New Zealand has produced, and he is one of the few who are able to finish at the pace at which ho sets out. He is inclined to swim a rather erratic course, but even when going all out he does not reduce bis rhythmical, easy stroke, and maintains a perfectly regular leg action. Ho won the 100yds from Lindsay in 59 Msec, which is the best on record in fresh water in New Zealand, though recently at Wellington W. Cameron swam'the distance in 59 2-ssec. time which has yet to be passed. Dowsett’s salt water "record is 57 2-ssec, and had he been reallv pushed at the finish on Saturday—ho won by 2yds—he would have further reduced his time. Lindsay swam a good race, but ho is hardly up to Dowsett’s mark in the sprint, the early stages favoring the Wanganui man. L. Fairgray went a fair race for third place, and, with a little more finish, the veteran ex-champion, J. Enwright, of Auckland, might have gained a place. He swam well over two lengths, but faded out towards the finish.

New fresh water figures were established in the 220yds intermediate boys’ championship, in which JV. Cameron

returned 2niin 15 l-sscc. This time docs not compare with Mridsoii’s salt water record ol 2min •‘ioscc, hut Cameron’s host distance, ol course, is 100yds. He swam well over the first portion of tho journey, and established a big lead with his long, powerful stroke by tho time 100yds had been covered. Ho changed "over to the trudge, and, though challenged by li is Wellington team mate, J. Palmer, in the, last length, had enough in reserve to win by oyds. In J. Palmer, who finished second to Cameron, Wellington has a swimmer of considerable promise. He has an attractive stroke, with a nice leg action, and, properly handled, he should he heard from in the swimming world in a year or two.

il. Gowan, of Wanganui, bettered the existing figures lor the 220yds intermediate boys in winning las heat, but ho did not swim with judgment in

the final, falling too far behind in the former half of Hie race. Hu sprinted in the last length, but could nut get up, having lo be content with third place. He lias quite a good stroke, and with more pace in the earlier stages might have been closer up, T. Hariaml was Otago’s solo representative in the. 22Uyds intermediate boys’ championship, and swam quite a fair race in iinislmig second to W. Cameron in his heat, enough he failed to stay with the northern speedsters in the final.

At practically every championship mediae; one or two promising juniors arc brought to light, ami in IJ. Gallatc was seen one lad who is a cut above ihe ordinary swimmer. -Ho showed rare dash in the hnal d : the KJUyds junior boys’ championship, which ho won by iUyils in tho freshwater record time 01 d;J J.-osoc. Gallato is a stylish swimmer, well built and strong, and though not the phenomenal swimmer that Leslie Olds was ho is certainly one who should make his mark in tne Xcw Zealand swimming world before long. Though ho did not gain a. place in the final 11. Oeddes won his heat ol this race in 77soc, which is Ids fastest time to date lor ](%ds. The plucky little Kiwi youngster has still three years in the junior division, so that ho should win a I'rce-stylc title before long. Miss Z. Howard h is a member of a well-known Wanganui swimming family, and she further enhanced its repn-

tation by her win in the oUyds junior girls’ championship in .'il t-ssec, in which she equalled Miss M. Jcpson’s fresh-water record in the final and bettered it by 2-ssec in tier beat. Miss Howa-rth has a strong, vigorous stroke, but towards the finish she was inclined to reduce it a little and was rolling rather badly. The open dive produced some splendid displays of plain, diving, and bad Roy Caldcr not made one slight mistake the Otago crack would have secured the verdict. As it was, Miss Lily Copplostonc, Canterbury’s contender for the ladies’ diving title, secured a narrow win, Caldcr being second. Miss Oopplcstone’s flight was very good, and her entry was polished, her toes being well pointed, but there is just n suggestion that if she does not rai.su her hands a little higher she may go over in some of the fancy dives. "Ca filer's diving was of a high standard, and in his running dive off the high board be made use of every ounce of his weight. Ho was at the height of his flight in what would have been a well-nigh perfect dive when bo just perceptibly lost bis balance and drew ids bands" back for a moment. He entered cleanly, but lost points as a result. Several other clivers performed well, W. Hicks and W. I’. Boyd both giving good displays. In making their debut in representative water polo Otago made a fair showing against Canterbury A, sustaining defeat by 5 goals to 0. With a more efficient goalkeeper than Devlin the score would probably not have been more than 2 to 0, for Otago’s goalio gave a poor display. C. B. Lewis played a fine game, and Caldcr, too, showed dash. Auckland won against Canterbury B by <T to 1, but though this was an interesting enough game there was too much frolicking among the players,

which should not be countenanced in competition.

SECOND DAY

Although fewer records were broken on the second night than was tho case on Saturday night, Monday’s large crowd of spectators saw one of the most exhilarating displays of swimming, diving, and water polo over staged in Dunedin, a particularly pleasing aspect of I,he meet being that Otago was well to tho fore, two titles being brought to Dunedin, while two thirds were secured in championship events, and the Otago representative team drew with Wellington at water polo after si most exciting game.

At the beginning of the present season, Miss Kathleen Miller after a strenuous season in club and representative hockey, found difficulty in striking form, but then during November she suddenly found her old stroke, and before long she was convincing those who have been closely associated with her swimming that she was likely to show better tonn than ever before in her carer. Miss Miller's splendid stroke and leg action is largely due to the coaching of E. H. Olds, who is now a professional coach in California, but during the present season another of Olds’s products in N. H. Hailey supervised Miss Miller’s training, and to him is duo in some measure a share of the praise for the success of last season's 220yds and 410yds ladies’ national champion. On Tuesday night Miss Miller swam tho race .of her life in the 220yds national championship, and at the start she appeared to be bubbling over wlili fitness and condition. All the way she maintained wonderful pace, and then over tho last 2Uyds she showed that she had still plenty of reserve force by slightly quickening her stroke and spurting to win by 15yds in the .splendid lime of 2min 51scc, which was I 3-ssoc better than the time she registered in her first essay at the title last year in salt water at Auckland. This latest mark will probably bo classed as a fresh water record, none previonHy being on tho books for this distance. As a matter of fact, Miss Miller's time was only 4sec outside of Miss Gwitha Shand’s salt water record, and had the Kiwi captain been pushed she would probably have given Miss Shand’s figures a shaking. Miss Miller is one of the most stylish swimmers in action at the championships, and she is a typical champion exponent of the six-boat crawl. Her turning has improved in the last few weeks, and in Australia over this distance she should bo found registering startling times. Already, on the face of things, she is one of New Zealand’s most likely lady representatives at tho Olympic (j'anics, for she is capable of good performances over all distances from 100yds to half a mile, whereas most of her rivals for inclusion would bo sent for one or two events alone.

Miss D. Grant, of Auckland, who filled second place to Miss Miller, is a swimmer who should improve with coaching and experience, but her stroke will stand improvement yet. She finished on well, and had the pace not been so fast over the earlier stages might have been closer up at tho finish. Miss M. Jcpson was third in the 22Uyds ladies’ national championship, but to the writer she merely confirmed the impression that she is swimming a good deal below last year’s form. It has always been open to question whether or not Miss Jppson’s arm stroke was the best she could develop, but tho first two nights’ swimming at the present championship meeting must have impressed her with tho fact that she will have to find another stroke. She changed her log action previously with effect, and there is no reason why the same thing should not happen with her arm stroke.

D. P. Lindsay, the Canterbury crack, is tho, main factor in securing Canterbury’s points for the Yaidhnrst Shield, and alter two nights’ swimming he had himself gathered together !) points for his province. This represented wins in the nn.'c and 220yds national championships. se-.jnd place in the 100yds national ch.i i.ptonship, and third in tho 150yds hack-stroke championship, in which he is an exponent of more than average ability. Lindsay and Miss Miller have already proved themselves to he the outstanding stars at the meet, ami, tmi.gh he was not seriously extended in jhc 220yds men’s national championship, Lindsay appeared to lack the, dash that is usually the characteristic of his swimming. Not that ho was really oft form. After letting Claridge lead him over 100yds, tho Now Zealand record-holder shot to tho front and slaved I here, eventually winning by 2yds in 2uiin 37 1-ssec. Lindsay would probably have done better had ho been pushed in the closing stages, but it is safe to assort that lie would not have broken his own Now Zealand Iresh water record of 2min 29scc, even had his supremacy been seriously tbit atoned, tic was swimming quite as easilv a ; previously, but did not seem to be _ getting the same steady pull with his arms its on Saturday. Still, on the face of it already, Lindsay’s claims for tuciasion in tho Now Zealand Olympic team arc going to be hard to overlook, for it. is certain tinder favorable conditions he would acquit himself well to tho extent of being a finalist at least.

A. T. F. Stokes again collected second points for Canterbury, and, though ho was fairly well back in the earlier stages of the race, he came to light in the latter half of the journey, and gradually displaced all but Lindsay. Stokes is a, swimmer of undoubted ability, and the pace that was set in the iirdni! stages suited him admirably, for w;*b the majority tiring be finished fast, and was 2yds ahead of the next pair u' the finish. R.'Tclham is a speedy swimmer, but be does not appear to have retained the finish bo used to show, though bo managed to beat bis badly-tiring Wellington team mate, C. Clariclge, in the last stages of the national furlong for third place. Pelham lias a good leg action particularly, and wore be to take bis swimming a little more seriously would be a strong contender for honors over the middle distances.

C. Clariclge is a good all-round performer, and has been competing at New Zealand championships regularly for the past eight years, despite the fact that be is now only twenty-one years of age. He is a strong swimmer with a good stroke, and had he been better at the turns might have troubled the leaders in the 220ycls men’s national championship. He carved out the first JOliyds in 62 2-ssec, but bis lead was reduced at every turn, and be faded nut badly at the finish. C. d. M‘l;can was a good deal below championship .standard over 22lJyds, Otago's representative finishing second last.

Backstroke is a branch of swimming which is rather neglected in Otago, hut after witnessing the great race that L. J. Moorhousc, of Canterbury, and L. Fairgray, of Auckland, provided in the ]soyds men’s national championship back stroke the writer is inclined to the belief that local clubs might do a little more towards popularising this style of swimming. It is practi-

cally impossible to individualise between Moorhousc and Fnirgray, for there was the very slightest margin between them at the finish. Both are splendid exponents of this stroke, though if anything Moorhouse appears a little the more powerful, but it was Moorhouso's slight superiority iu turning that gave him victory by a bare touch. Great time was expected in view of the clinking pace that was set all the way, and so it proved, Moorhouse’s time being Imin 56soc, wlncfi equalled the existing record for iresh water, though Fairgrny still holds the New Zealand salt water record of Imin 52 J-ssoc.

W. P, Boyd was Otago's only representative in this race, but he did not have the same speedy stroke of the others and finished more than 20yds back. Still, he should stick to back stroke as ho already has shown con-

siderable improvement during the past month.

In tho junior girls’ 50yds breast stroke championship Hawke’s .Bay was represented by a powerful swimmer iu Miss Z. Fryer, who had something in reserve for the last sprint. Her stroke can still be improved. Miss V. Melton, of Wanganui, who finished second, swam a good breast stroke. Otago secured third place in this event, through the medium of Miss M. Mnthieson, who began well, but was somewhat short of finish. Miss Mathieson has a very fair sort of stroke, with a fairly wide kick, and if she takes her training seriously she should do well in breast stroke swimming in the future.

From a local point of view the success of 11. Geddcs in the 75yds junior boys’ breast stroke championship was one of the most popular of the meeting, and in view of the fact that he has another three years in the junior division his performance was outstanding. Geddcs is but eleven years.. Yet throughout the season ho has been a regular competitor at all the local carnivals, and the experience gained has now stood him in good stead. .He won by 6yds in 69 2-ssec, just over the standard time. Geddes swims a good breast stroke, keeping well down in the water. By next season ho should bo

capable of getting down near Leslie Olds’s salt water record of 02 J-ssec.

Though it drew but two competitors the lOijyds intermediate girls’ championship resulted in one of the best races of the, night, and but for swimming a bad course in the last length and fouling the ropes Miss Edna Champion, the much-vaunted Aucklander, would have strongly disputed Miss N. Stratton’s claims. Miss Stratton used a good stroke in the first two lengths over which she led, doing an eight heat, hut in the last length she commenced to roll and reduced her stroke. As a, result Miss Champion, who lias a stroke not unlike that of Miss K. Miller, drew up, hut thou the Aucklander fouled the rope and the Wanganui girl had enough left to forge ahead again to win by half a yard in 72scc, which shattered Miss Gwitha Shand’s fresh water record by S <l-ssec. though it was ]-T)sec slower than Miss D. Magee’s salt water record.

Miss Champion impressed considerably by her powerful swimming, and over a longer 220yds course she should bo seen to even more advantage. The writer understands that Miss Champion and Miss D. Magee, the Auckland UlOyds champion, arc to tour thcW'est Coast following the championships, and their tour should he productive of a considerable amount of good. After smashing through the first 100yds in time that was round about (52sec W. Cameron was out of the 440yds championship for intermediate hoys, in which Wellington was represented by J. Palmer. T. Harland, of Otago, qualified in ids heat, but illness prevented him from stepping on to the mark for the final.

But for swimming too far behind in the former part of the intermediate hoys’ furlong, H. Gowan would have been closer up than third, and the Wanganui boy made ample amends in

the intermediate boys’ 440yds championship final, in which, with 600yds covered, ho looked a sure winner. Gowan possesses a good finish, and when he spurted in the 440yds he left tho others behind, and won by 12yds. The time was 6min 1 l-ssce, which was 10 3-ssec better than the existing fresh water figures, but the time is not particularly noteworthy when it is remembered that, as a junior, last season the phenomenal Leslie Olds swam the distance—in salt water admittedly—in smin 47 3-ssec. He was never officially timed in fresh water, but in trials swam well under six minutes. J Palmer found the 440yds intermediate boys’ championship just a little beyond him, but the Wellington lad swam a good race for second place, and the writer believes that when he has a little experience over this distance he will be capable of better time. He wants practice at tho turns, for iu this direction he lost a good deal of ground as compared with Gowan. N. li. Bailey did not qualify in the 100yds men’s national championship, but, starting in the 100yds interclub handicap from the Bsec mark, the Kiwi champion swam his best race of the season. Bailey usually trudges the last length, but he crawled the whole distance in this race, which he won Irom a longer handicap man by half a yard. His actual time was 64 3-ssec, but the writer still maintains that if_ Bailey had the time to take his training seriously he would bo capable of getting down near the minute, lor ho is a strong and stylish swimmer. The first stage of the intermediate boys’ diving championship should not have presented the difficulties somo of the competitors encountered, but_ the standard, to say the least, was disappointing. The Otago boy, A. M. Bix, has certainly improved considerably, his carriage being much better. He has a fair flight, but must learn to point his toes. Howarth, of Wanganui. showed fair form, though inclined to drag his legs apart as he enters. All tho competitors screwed off the board in the half-screw backwards, but tho running pike was neatly executed, both Howard and Ilix doing well, llix’s back somersault was quite fair, though he entered with knees bent and flung his arms out as he started.

The water polo has been proving one of the most popular features of the championships, and for sheer enthusiasm the match between Otago and Wellington would take a lot of beating. The Otago team was a different side from that which went down to Auckland, and, though their throwing can still bo improved, there was a much bettor understanding between the players, the outstanding man being C. B. Lewis, who always seemed to bo where he was wanted. Swan played a rattling good game in goal, and was a distinct improvement upon Devlin. Harrod also showed good form. In the Wellington team both Claridgo and Mollier showed to advantage, and Murrell also played well. In the morning Canterbury A had an easy win against Canterbury B, hut it was not a particularly thrilling game, the B’s lacking the combination of the A’s. THIRD DAY. Though Miss Ena Stockley did not break the world’s 100 metres backstroke record in her attempt or the New Zealand record on Wednesday night, as was at first announced, her tune of Imin 27 4-ssoc was such as to place her in the very first flight of back-stroke swimmers, and on her present form she is going to take a power of beating when she meets the Australian crack, Miss Bonnie Mealing, next month. The world’s reooi'd mark of Imin 22 2-ssec was set by the late Miss Sybil Bauer iu 1922, but it has not been touched since then, which would suggest that Miss Stockley would have a big chance were she sent to the Olympic Games. With a little more proficiency in the turns, her time Avon Id have been still faster, and her doings in Australia shortly will be eagerly awaited in the dominion. livery time I). P. Lindsay, of Canterbury, starts in a race the odds are that a record might fall, and already at the present meet he has set two now marks, the latest being an iui provement upon his own frest-water figures for 880yds. In winning the SBOycls national championship in 11mm 45 4-ssec Lindsay improved his previous 1 time by 8 4-ssec. his salt-water record being 1 Imin 25 B-osec. Had ho been seriously threatened bo might have done still faster, and, as it was, be swam brilliantly to win by Boyds. He left 440yds behind in smin 63 2-ssec, and should have little difficulty in lowering R. Pelham's fresh-water record for this distance to-night.^ The Auckland champion, N. K. Svlnw, proved that all the good things said of his breast stroke swimming were true, and in the final, after being with the Wanganui representative L. Smith most ol the way, he shot to the front in the last length and won^ by Byds in the splendid time of drain 6sec -Ijnst outside Heard’s record. Had Heard been able to compete the writer docs not think he would have lowered Sylow’s colors on present form, and in the latter Auckland has a worthy holder of the title. Ho is a discovery of the present season so far as New Zealand swimming is concerned, and, while his style is in contrast to Heard’s, the Australian product’s methods seem to bo just as effective. He lies well up on the water with his shoulders fairly high out, and he has a welltimed kick. He is one of the prettiest breast-stroke swimmers seen in action here for a long time, and it would not ho surprising to him give Heaul s [’mures a. shaking helore long. "Those who saw W. Cameron register 59 2-osec over 100yds in Wellington recently expected him to get down near tlio minute at Dunedin, and ine piopheis were not lar out. for in winning the lOOvds intermediate hoys _ cnam-■ pionship'' the speedy Wellmgtonian returned 60 6-ssec, which shattered Dowsett’s record bv 3-ssen. Cameron won as ho liked, and had ho been pushed lie might have broken the minute. Cameron now holds both salt and freshwater records in the intermediate division, and ii he does not .suffer i\ith that common complaint known as a “swollen head” he is destined to go far in the swimming world. In the. 100yds junior girls’ championship Miss M. Smith, the smart little Aucklander, reversed the 50yds decision with. Miss Z. Howarth, ol Wanganui, the latter lading out in the closing stages and losing her stroke. Miss Smith swam a good race and used a steady but not too slow a stroke, her time of 78 l-sscc shattering Miss Piri P.agc’s seven-year-old record by a second. Miss Howarth was rolling badly at the end of this race.

Miss Jfidna Champion gave a taste of her undoubted quality in the 20Uyds intermediate girls’ championship, in which she won by loyds in the fast time of 2min 59 3-sscc. Miss Champion swam a splendid race, maintaining an even pace practically throughout, though she spurted in the last length. She is a daughter of the famous oldtime champion and Olympic representa-

tivc, M. E. Champion, and her success will be well received. Next year in senior ranks she should help to make things interesting with Miss K. Miller, though still some way below the latter’s form. B. Gallato has shown himsell to be outstanding in the junior boys’ division, and in the 220yds championship ho never looked like being beaten, winning by 18yds in the very fair time of dm in 4 l-sscc. Collate should go far in swimming if ho is properly handled and not allowed to overdo things. To Otago wont the honors of the intermediate boys’ diving championship, A. M. Rix carrying off the title. The standard generally was low, but Rix dived fairly consistently throughout and showed marked improvement on the form he displayed earlier in the season. He has a better carriage and is getting a fair flight, though he still

flicks the water with his toes. Rix made the best attempt a’t the second post dive, a one and a-half somersault oft the 10ft board, and his Isauder running (off one foot) on both boards was quite a good voluntary. His win was deserved, for lew could have trained more assiduously than ho had done during the past few months._ With the compulsory dives decided, Miss L. Hood looks as if _ she will bo hard to beat in the ladies’ diving championship; and though R. C. Calder lost by overbalancing off the board in a back somersault, he should retain the men’s title, while H. E. Walker is going to fight hard for a place. W. Hicks, of Wellington, has also performed creditably. Miss K. Miller lias had a most successful run at the meet to date. Not only has she won the 220yds ladies’ title and finished second in the 100yds, hub she won the 66 2-3yds ladies’ interclub handicap off Isec, 100yds ladies’ interclub handicap _ off scratch, and was in the second pair in the dual relay handicap. Miss Mi!lcr_ believes in plenty of swimming during the championships, and rarely has she been in better form.

Without the services of C. B. Lewis Otago could only draw at water polo against Canterbury B, hut Canterbury A maintained its unbeaten record against Auckland. SUGGESTED CHANGE OF DATES. It is doubtful whether the recommendation from the conference of New

Zealand Amateur Swimming Association Centre delegates that the New Zealand national championships in fture should be held as late as February is a wise step. The principal arguments in favor ol the change were that senior swimmers experienced considerable difficulty in obtaining leave so soon alter the holidays, while the championship secretary has little time after the holidays to get his arrangements under way. There is certainly something to be said in favor of these arguments, but docs not the effect the change will have upon intermediates ami juniors more than counterbalance them? The writer is inclined to think that parents and school teachers will view with disfavor an interruption of a week in school studies that will be necessary if the championships are to bo hold in February, and thus many of the champions of the future may be debarred from competing. The young swimmers who are to take the places of the seniors to-morrow must he considered, and the writer (rusts that_ in the interests of the sport the New Zealand Council wil seriously consider the subject in all its aspects before making a change )rum the present scheme of liuncs, DUNEDIN BUBN. Though Miss Gladys Pidgeon, New Zealand hulks’ 220yds breast-stroke record holder, is and lias always represented Auckland at swimming, Dunedin can lay claim to (he distinction of being her • birthplace, though she left here when she was about eight years of age. Miss Pidgeon is without doubt the finest lady exponent of the breast-stroke New Zealand has yet produced, and when to-night she steps on to the mark to defend her title it will be the fourth time in which she has competed in the New Zealand ladies’ 220yds breaststroke title event. She first won the title at Christchurch in 1925, among her

opponents being the then intermediate record holder, Miss V. Scotten, of Otago, who is now secretary of the Invercargill Club. Miss I’idgoon s time was 3min 48sec —this in Ircsh water—but when she won the title lor the third time last season her time was 3min 39 3-ssec, while her salt water record is 3min 35 3-sseo. Miss Pidgcon is a splendid breaststroke swimmer, and it is indeed a pity that she has never had an opportunity ot measuring her strokes with Australia’s best. Miss Ettie Robertson was to have aeompanied Miss Claire Couldwell on a tour ot New Zealand last season, but it tel through, and the tour was undertaken by the New Zealanders, Misses K. Miller and Ena Stockley, though it was felt in some quarters that Miss Pidgeon might have been added in view ot the fact that the original tonring party included a nreast-stroke swimmer. Should she be successful in retaining her title to-night, then it is to bo hoped she will sooner or later ho afforded an opportunity of proving her worth in competition with some crack outside breast-stroke exponents. BACKSTROKE FOR LADIES. It should afford swimming followers considerable pleasure that by a decision reached at the Dominion Swimming Conference during the week a ladies’ backstroke championship is likely to be included on the programme of the next New Zealand national championships. In Miss Ena Stockley Now Zealand has a backstroke swimmer who can take her place with the world’s best, and Mr Baxter O’Neill, secretary of the Dominion Council, conveyed the interesting information at the conference that Miss Stock ley’s backstroke ability was discovered almost as the result of an accident. The New Zealand 100yds ladies’ free style champion was louring in Australia at the time, and was persuaded to take part in a backstroke event with surprising results. She registered startlingly fast time, and later smashed the Australian backstroke record. Miss Stockley has developed her backstroke until now' she is a potential Olympic candidate, and it is only titling that a ladies’ backstroke event should be included on the national championship programme. Perhaps there are other likely champions hidden in New Zealand who need only opportunity to show what they are capable of.

SOME VISITING PERSONALITIES

Two well-known and popular Christchurch sporting journalists are among the visitors for the national championships, and none loom larger than “Tiny” Lyons, the genial giant who holds down the presidential chair of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, He has done much for swimming in the Cathedral City, and on Saturday night, when the Canterbury B water polo team was stuck for a goalie be filled the breach, with quite a fuu amount of success! The other member of tho Foirtli Estate is one who has played a prominent part in placing swimming .11 New Zealand in its present position. He is Baxter O’Neill, secretary of the New Zealand Swimming Council, aiid_ one of tho most efficient of his kind in Now Zealand sport. All swimmers would regret the departure during tho championships of Mr C. Bryant, who has officiated as starter for years past. Mi- Bryant has tho confidence of every swimmer, and tho result is that few false starts are witnessed. His departure was hastened by the illness of his wife. All swimmers and followers of tho sport will hope that Mrs Bryant will maxo a speedy recovery.

Another who has done much for New Zealand swimming is Carl Atkinson, of Canterbury, who lias hold New Zealand titles for KJOyds, 220, yds, 440yds, 880yds, and one mile free styles, 50yds back stroke, and 22dycis breast stroke, and until recently hold the salt water breast-stroke record. Carl has represented Croat Britain in breast stroke at the Olympic Games, hut, apart from being such a. hue' swimmer himself, lie has done much for .swimming in the. dominion in the way of coaching. He is J). P. Lindsay's coach, and for a time early in the present season trained Miss K. Miller while the latter was in Christchurch. He is still the backbone of Canterbury water polo, and, competing in the long plunge, on Saturday, did over (34ft, this being just below the record.

Mr T. Anderson, of Auckland, is another coach who is well known in swimming circles. Ho has charge of both Miss Una Stockley and Miss Gladys Pidgeon, and is well known in Auckland for the success he lias achieved in the coaching of school children. “Pete” Coira, Wellington’is local officer and the N.Z.A.S.A. handicapper, is another well-known figure at championship meetings. SURF CONTESTS. Much unfavorable comment was caused by the absence of a team from, the St. Clair Life-saving and Surfbathing Chib from Iho Nelson Shield contest for the New Zealand surf championship, and surely some special effort might have been made by the club authorities to ensure that the club would bo represented on the home beach, fit C. B. Lewis, A. Knights, J. B. Simpson, and H, Devlin St. Clair has some real enthusiasts, and it is a pity there wore not a few' more like them The contest provided a really interesting display, which was particularly noteworthy for the neat and finished display that was given by the two Wellington teams, whasc gear and turnout was as spick and span ns could he imagined. Lyall Bnv had a little more finish than ( their Maranui rivals, and took the shield by a. few points, Canterbury being third. Canterbury made amends in the fonrnrn surf championship, not only winning the championship, but also including the champion hell man in C. Atkinson. St Clair finished third in this event, and made rpiile a, creditable showing, which demonstrated what the club would ho capable of with a little more keenness on the part of some of the members, J R. Simpson was rnnnor-np for (he bellman's championship, .showing n good deal of judgment when he made the rnn-oui, so C ' he was assisted to the “ patient ” by the swing of the tide. OVERSEAS FUND. There are few swimmers who will begrudge paying a shilling as a registration fee (n go to the overseas representation fund, for by doing .so they are helping to raise the standard of the sport. The writer agrees with Mr Baxter O’Neill, secretary of the Dominion Council, that New Zealand’s best men swimmers should he given an opportunity of proving their worth in outside competition, and he also holds that everything possible should ho done to-

wards bringing overseas chain pious.. tot New Zealand. This is made possible? only by the overseas fund and the n.holi-' tion of tho_ registration fee would iS* deed bo a disaster,-