SAVIDAN SETS THE PACE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 August 1930, Page 6

SAVIDAN SETS THE PACE.

SIX-MILE RECORD AT EMPIRE GAMES. HAMILTON (Ontario), Aug. 16. Ideal weather conditions prevailed when the Empire games were opened with formalities. There was an inaugural flourish of pageantry and good wishes from the sports-loving world.

Governor-General Willingdon officiated and the Canadian Premier, Mr Bennett and Premier Ferguson of Ontario, attended.

Messages were read from King George, the Prince of Wales, Lord Derby and others. Percy Williams, of Vancouver, Olympic sprint champion was chosen to represent the competitors of all countries, taking the Olympic oath surrounded by flags, the Union Jack and ten other emblem'? of British nations. New Zealand sent" over -her first winner of the day when Savidan raced all opposition into the ground to capture the six mile event and establishing a new Canadian record.

His plodding race by persistence in pace, was a heartbreaker to his rivals and his time was a shade under the minute over the world's record. It was not unt'l the third mile that the New Zealander went into the lead Eind was never again headed. He neveT faltered and finished strongly with increased speed, beading Harper to tho tape by a good one hundred and fifty yards.

W.hile considerable comment was caused by the Australian and South African Withdrawal from the hurdle beats'without explanation, Savidan's victory was greeted with satisfaction and as a remarkable triumph by the fifteen thousand spectators. His and Burghley's showings were, the most popular of the day a,nd sports writers from all over the North American Continent stress that the achievement of both was outstanding. One correspondent telegraphed his paper: "Perhaps those who dedicated the games earlier in the day could regard the results, i-amely the victories of nobleman and builder, as typical examples of the spirit and interest they hope will pervade these contests.''

As Australia is not competing in the early events the Commonwealth athletes, after participating in the parade to-day, acted the part of spectators. The men. are reported to be in good condition and feeling fit. '

England was conceded major honours at the opening of the games. Of four final events, England took two •firsts, three seconds and two thirds and t'.lso showed outstanding superiority in the preliminary heats.

New Zealand took one first - and Canada one first and three seconds. New Canadian records established were for the six mile run, 440 hurdles and hop, step and jump. Eesults were: —

440 yards hurdles. —First heat: Burghley (England) 1, Tatham (England) .2, Hiekey (Canada) 3. Time sSsecs. Second heat: Lcighwood (England) 1, Connolly (Canada) 2, Neame (England) 3. Timj 5S 3-10 secs. Final: Burghlcy 1, Leighwood 2, Neame 3. Time, 54 4-ssecs. A new Canadian record.

220 yards dash. —First heat: Englehart (England) 1, Hamilton (Scotland) 2. Time, 22sces. Second heat: Walters (South Africa) 1, Ball (Canada) 2. Time, 20 3-10. Third heat: Gcrhardt (South Africa) 1, Fitzpatrick (Canada) 2. Elliott (New Zealand) ran third in n, strong finish, but failed to qualify. Final: Englehart 1, Fitzpatrick 2. Walters 3. Time, 21 4-ssees. 880 yards.—First heat: Chandler {'South Africa) 1, Thomas (England)) 2, Gutteridge (England) 3, Pickard (Canada) 4. Time, 1.56 4-5. Second heat: Hampson (England) 1, Wilson (Can- ! r-da) 2, Edwards (British Guiana) 3. Time, 1.55 3-5. Hop. step and jump.—S-allconi.be (Canada) first in field of ten with 48ft s:ns. Johnson (New Zealand) was sixth. Six mile event. —Savidan (New Zealand) 1, Harper (England) 2, Eveson (England) 3, Wood (Scotland) 4, Reynolds (Canada) 5. Time, 30mins 49 4-5 sees. Swimming Events. 100 yards backstroke: J. W. Tappett ('England) 1, William Frances (Scotland) 2, J. C. P. B>esford (England) 3. Time, (35 2-ssccs. A new Canadian record. J. W. Cameron (Australia) finished strongly, being less than five inches behind Besford. Celia Wostenholme (England), won the 200 yards breaststroke for women and set a world *s record of 2.54 3-5. Marjorie Hinton (England) was second and Ellen King (Scotland) 3. After being with the leaders for half the distance Gladys Pid.geon (New Zealand), fell back finishing sixth. 400 yards (free style, women): Joyce Cooper (England) 1, Valerie Daviea (Wales) 2, Sarah Stewart (Scotland) 3. Time, 5.25 2-5. Noel Ryan (Australia) won the 400 yards free style for men. Ryan \s win was the most sensational of the night. Led by Munro Bourne (Montreal) for nearly half the way, Ryan swam the Canadian into near exhaustion, going en to win by three yards. Canada swept the men's springboard diving. Alfred Phillipps was first, Cyril Kennett second, Arthur Stott third. R. C. Caldcr (New Zealand) was fourth and gave Stott a close battle for third plaee. He was only >x. few points behind.