OTAGO SWIMMERS IN SYDNEY

Evening Star, Issue 22233, 10 January 1936, Page 5

OTAGO SWIMMERS IN SYDNEY

MATHIESON REACHES BEST FORM [By Hooker.] i While disappointment may be felt at Walter Jarvis’s showing in the New South Wales 220 yards championship, those who realise what performances he has been, putting up will be satisfied that h© must have been, off colour, for his time in the New Zealand Championship was faster last season than that recorded in Sydney on Wednesday night. Even allowing for the turns, Walter was expected to do at least equally good time, though it was realised that Noel Rvan, the Olympic representative, especially would provide the most strenuous of opposition. ■ Yet Ryan was beaten by the cpuntry swimmer, P. Hooper, who earlier in the week put up very fast time 'over 110yds in an invitation event. But for Jarvis to finish last was totally unexpected, and 01161 can only hope that before leaving Sydney he will reproduce his true form and show what he is really capable of. On the other hand, Peter Mathieson reached near his best form from the start, and after winning the New South Wales 110yds back-stroke championship convincingly, put up another smart performance to finish second in a 100yds invitation back-stroke handicap, conceding the .winner 6sec, and being only 4ft away at the finish. As the winner did 70 3-ssec, Mathieson. must have recorded good time. In a letter to “ Hooker ” from Sydney, dated December 31, Mathieson states that he and Walter Jarvis had a good cend-olf from the Aucklanders, and among those who were present at their departure was Ted Turgis (former Otago champion) and Mrs Turgis! They had a very rough trip on the journey across, Jarvis' in particular being very ill. .They went to bed soon after leaving Auckland, and remained there until they were outside Sydney Heads. ' On top of -an attack of influenza some weeks ago, it is quite possible that seriously affected Jarvis in reaching his best form.

The New Zealanders were met by Mr Dudley Hellmrich (secretary of the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association) and other officials, and are staying at Potty’s Hotel, at which most of the overseas swimmers stay on their visits to Sydney.. Jarvis and Mathieson had .their first swim at the Domain Baths, 110yds long, and the latter said it was a heartbreaker to dash one length flat out. Reg. Clark; -who toured here last

'season, was with them. They were honoured later by a complimentary dinner, at which those present included Noel Ryan,'. Bill. Kendall, Reg. Clark, and about tyro dozen others., . They visited Manly on the day the letter was written and swam about 880yds. . Mathieson was taught a very fast turn by Mr Harry ' Hay, former, Australian Olympic : team manager, who advised him not to use it in the New South Wales, 110yds championship last Monday, because if Peter missed it would, mean the loss of many yards. In a second swim they did, another 880yds and 220yds leg-kicking, turns, and sprints, and also a 50yds dash.