SWIMMING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11843, 21 December 1901, Page 7

SWIMMING.

Mr. E. S. Marks, manager of th© New South V les athletic team, now in Auckland, has been deputed by the New South .Wales Swimming Association to consult with the New Zealand authorities with regard to tho forthcoming Australasian championships, which it is intended shall be held in Auckland early next; year. Mr. Marks informed - me the other day that the third week in February .' or, thereabouts would ; suit the 'Swimmers on the other side, and that if arrangements can be made for the holding of the meeting about that time a strong contingent of Australian cracks will no doubt come across to the championships. From what l can gather the swimmers of the Commonwealth State are anxious that the meeting should bo hold here, and in. order that we 'might be in a position to place something definite before them on his return Mr. Marks wired the Southern association,last Wednesday asking if February 20 or ; thereabou would meet tho approval of the swimmers down bolow with ' Auokland as the venuo of the gathering.

Swimming will bo at its full pitch soon, as the members are taking a very great in terest ;in the f- sport v this ; season, fas it wm be seen from the last gala held in the Albertstreet Baths on tho 11th inst. It provoa a, /decided 3 success, and , the committee nave not been idle in the meantime. A me&ang was held last Tuesday . evening, at which a full ? committee was present, and it was decided to hold another gala in _ the Albertstreet Baths on January 22, 1902, and a very attractive programme was drawn up, entries to close with the secretary at the Sports 'Club on. Wednesday evening, January 8, or at the : Albert-street Baths with Mr. Caldor. There will be a novelty on the programme in the' shape of a polo match between the City district and North Shore. Mr. E. O'Hare is getting a representative team, from City and Mr. H. S. Hall from North Shore.

; As to the Australasian championships, they will probably be held in Auckland about February 19 and 22 next. ' ~ It was decided that the 108 yds handicap, in which Cave, Warbrick, and Dervan swam a dead-heat should be ; swam at the Albertstreet Baths next Monday evening at halfpast five o'clock. The committee of the Auckland Swimming Club propose holding a night gala in the Al-bert-street Baths on Wednesday ' evening, ( January 22, 1902, commencing at eight o'clock sharp. Tlic programme, is as follows :—72yd3 Maiden, 72yds Open .Handicap, 108 yds Open Handicap, 36yds Boys' Handicap, 72yds Boys Handicap, One-length Girls' Handicap, Ladies' Dive, High Jump off. Springboard, Relay Race (teams), .water polo (districts).

Christchurch swimmers welcomed back to their ranks the other day an old West Christ-church swimmer and polo player, Jack Patterson. Since leaving .New Zealand some years ago he has been round tho wori.'l, a ." has swum in many baths in many countries. He has seen all the best men in the Old World, and ho says they fire undoubtedly good. " The ■ . Christchurch baths are the: worst I have seen in any part of the world." 1 e remarked to a Southern scribe. Everywhere you go you find nice tiled baths, good, comfortable dressingrooms, and nearly all tho baths are tepid. Christchurch has a lot of improvements to bo made to catch up on the English baths. It is astonishing that there is no tepid bath in Christchurch, considering the cold nature of the water here and the number of people who would use it." A. McMillan, Glasgow, easily won the 440 yds championship of Scotland at Edinburgh on October 18. Time, 6m. 325. A monster benefit '-'meeting is being arranged for Nuttall, in.Manchester, ; where, besides the great professional, Jarvis and Derbyshire will also make attempts on records. • \

A tribute paid to Nuttall by Sporting Life: —" Unfortunately he is so wonderful a champion—the most wonderful the world has ever seen— so far as matches aro concerned, ho is absolutely idle." What virtually amounts to a .half-mile test between Nuttall and Jarvis was arranged to take place at Rockdale Road Bath on November 13. In order not to conflict with amateur rules the swimmers wore to journey over the course separately, Jarvis to go first. Surely this is carrying rules to an absurdity. If all England wants to see these two great swimmers matched in a particular race they should be granted a special permit for the occasion, so that they could meet in a straightforward manner. On Thursday, tho 12th inst., at Christchurch, a deputation, consisting of Messrs. G. Harris. G. T. Booth, and W. Bergh, introduced bv Mr. W. W. Collins, M.H.R., waited on Sir J. G. Ward. Mr. 'Harris, who acted as spokesman, said the deputation represented the New Zealand Swimming Association, and they were anxious to have -the grant made by Parliament handed over to tho association for the furtherance of swimming. He went at length: into the history of tho association, and the trouble which had arisen between Auckland and Christelwirch as to the headquarters. The council here represented all' the centres in the colony except Auckland, which only had one club of about 100 members; and yet Auckland had put in a claim for half, if not the whole, of the grant. Sir Joseph Ward said the question came under the Educational Department. and ho.would bring the matter before the Minister. It seemed to him quite untenable that one club should be considered before a body representing a dozen- clubs. As to the titlo of the association, ho suggested that another endeavour should be made to bring tho two associations together under the .coveted title.