SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12238, 6 April 1903, Page 6

SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

NORTHERN AMATEURS' CARNIVAL. NEW RECORDS CREATED. The Northern Amateur Swimming Club held a championship carnival at the Auckland Graving Dock on Saturday afternoon continuing the contests at the Albert-street baths in the evening. There was a very large attendance at each gathering During he afternoon a nor'-westcrly wind was blowing down the harbour, making the conditions more difficult for the competitors, especially in the shorter events. , This was the first championship meeting which has been hold in Auckland for some time to which competitors have come from other parts. The centres represented were Wellington Dunedin Christolrurch, and G'rcymoutn, the latter -ndin°- J M. Hamilton, who recently represented" New Zealand in the Australasian championships at Brisbane, where he met wi ha fair measure of success, winning one championship and gaining places iv other events in which he competed J ™ n natelv, for some reason or. other Malcolm Champion, who is the recognised crack.oi the Northern Club, was not allowed to com rjete This was an undoubted disappointSt to the public, who Had been looking forward to some stirring contests between the local representative and Hamilton. Much excellent sport was, however provided _ Lh» first championship 'of the day, the 100 yds, went to the young Dunedin swimmer, H. Creaghe, who is stated to be only 16 years of age, and evidently has * *»*,&*'»"» befor* "him. His time for the 100 yds was 65 2-55., beating the New Zealand record by three-fifths of a second. In the half-mile championship the onlookers were treated to a brilliant exhibition of swimming on the part of the Grcymouth crack, Hamilton, who fully maintained his high reputation, completing the distance in 13m. 3* 2-55., thus boatin'" the previous best of the colony Ul. Champion's Mm. 175.) by 42 3-ss. Seeing that he gained nothing whatever from the weather conditions, the feat Was one of which he has every reason to be proud. L. enrose, of Christchurch, was a good second, his time being I'll)!. 65., as against the standard time of l"4m. 155., and New Zealand record, 14m 17s. Fresh records seemed to be the order of. the dav, the 440 yds. which was swum in fresh water at the evening meeting, being won by J. INT. Hamilton in 6 3-ss. less, than tho ure'vious best for New Zealand (M. Champion's 6m. 305.), and 1 3-ss. inside the standard. The following were the results: — IOOYds Championship of Auckland: This event was competed for in two heats, the first and second in each heat taking part in the final. Excellent swimming was witnessed. The first heat was won by J. M. Hamilton, R. 801 l occupying second place. The other starters were F. Warbrick and F. Roberts. A close finish was witnessed, "and the capital time of lm. 6s. (equal to the New Zealand record) was hoisted. The second heat was fairly easily won by H. Creaghe, with A. Drake (Christchurch) second, the other competitors being W. Dunn and G. Harrison. Time, lm. 10s. The final was swum off by Hamilton, Creaghe, Bell, and Drake. A good start was made. Hamilton soon forged his way to the front, but at about half th© distance Creaghe got after him. and a great race was witnessed, the young Dunedin representative assuming the lead about 15yds from the touch, and winning by rather more than a yard. Final result : IT. Creaghe, 1 (time, lm. 5 2-5) ; J. M. Hamilton, 2.

50Yds. open. Swum in six heats, the winners of which competed for the final. Winners : First heat M. Howe, 65.; time. 355. Second —W. Johns, 65. ; time, 355. Third heat— Scott, 6s. ; time, 34 2-ss. Fourth heatß. Blakey, sis. ; time, 35 2-ss. Fifth heat—S. W. Kean, 6s. ; time. 355. Sixth heat—R. O'Hare, 6£-s. ; time, 33 4-ss. Final The six competitors got away well, and a. good race resulted. R. O'Hare, 1; W. Johns, 2. Time, 33 4-ss. 75Yds Handicap (youths under 17). Swum in three heats, the first and second in each heat taking part in the final: First heat B. O'Hare, 75., 1; A. Dam-ell, 65., 2. Time, 60s. Second heat—F. Kernott, 65., 1; R. Caffrey. 25., 2. Time, 60 l-ss. Third heat —R. Henderson, 65., 1; F. Brett, 65., 2.Tims, 575. Final—Henderson, 1; B. O'Hare. 2. Time, 55 l-ss. Plunge Championship of Auckland (time limit of each competitor, 60s. each trial. There were seven competitors : J. M. Hamilton (Greymoufh), 1, distance 50ft lliu : F. Roberts (Wellington), 2. Clothes Race. Competitors to start with trousers and coat on over swimming costume, swim 50yds, take off outer clothes, peg them on line, and swim 50yds to finish : R. Bell, 1; S. T. McMillan, 2. Half-mile Championship of New Zealand. There were four starters, namely, J. M. Hamilton, L. Penrose, W. Dunn, and T. V. Frost. The race, whioh was splendidly swum, was followed with a great deal of interest by the large crowd of spectators gathered around the Graving Dock. Hamilton assumed the lead in the first lap, and at the end of the second lap was three yards in front of Penrose, Watty Dunn some- 10yds further behind. Between Dunn and Frost there was also about 10yds. The positions remained much the same during the next lap. and in the fourth one Forst retired. Hamilton had steadily increased his lead on Penrose, and was swimming strongly. Dunn had fallen half a lap behind. By the time the sixth lap was completed Dunn had retired, and Hamilton was 30yds ahead of Penrose. The lead was increased in the seventh and eighth laps to about 52yds, and Hamilton finally came in an easy winner. Result: Hamilton, 1, time 13m. 34 2-55.; Penrose, 2, time 14m. 6s. Relay Race, open. Teams of five. Each competitor to swim across the dock and back: City Football Club—Tyler (2), W. Dervan, Ea-sdale, and Johnson, 1; Auckland Rowing Club, 2. Silver Star F.C., 3. This completed the afternoon's sport. In the evening the carnival was continued at Albert-street Baths, the results being as follow : —

50Yos Handicap, for boys under 15. Swum in five heats. Winners :— heat— Gamble, Bs. Time, 42 2-ss. Second heat— J. Purdie, Bs. Time, 39 l-ss. Third heat— P. Amodeo, ss. Time, 40s. Fourth heat— D. Stewart, 4s. Time, 40 3-ss. Fifth heat— L. E. Kerr-Taylor, Bs. Time, 40 S-ss. . Final —J. Purdie, 1; Kerr-Taylor, 2. Time, 38 440 Yds Championship of New Zealand: In this contest, which was followed with much interest by the numerous spectators, three swimmers took part—J. M. Hamilton, >~ Penrose and W. Dunn. Hamilton, who had been going strong throughout the day, was seen to excellent advantage. Almost from the start he had a decided lead, which he gradually increased during the laps up to the finish, when he was about 30yds in front, j.he time in which he won establishes a new record for the colony, being 6m. 23 2-55., as against 6m. 30s. 'held by M. Champion. Result: Hamilton 1, time 6m. 23 2-5.3.; Penrose 2, time 6m. 57 4-53. „? « 3 & Y rls Scratch Race (for novices): Miss McQuillan, 1; Jenny Webster, 2. 72Yds Open Hendicap: Swum in six heats the winners competing in the final. First heat—W. John, 9s. Time, 53 l-ss. Second heat—F Warbrick, ss. Time, 55 3-ss. Third hea -M. s°,' 9s> T.me, 56 2-ss. Fourth heat—S. Wilson, 7s. Time, 53 2-ss. Fifth heat-B. £ la - yv 8s " Time > 52 l-ss. Sixth heat— W. Kean, 9s. Time, 52 2-ss. The sixth heat was a very interesting one, inasmuch as H. Creaghe was included among the half-dozen competitors. Creaghe wa= announced in the programme to receive 5* start, but in consequence of his brilliant performance in the -100 yds' championship, when he established a new record for New Zealand, he was put back to . scratch He made a very plucky attempt to win and only just missed being successful, cominc in a very good second. Final- Wilson, 1; K % n > 2; Blakey, 3. Time, 52 3-5s «• lr I ?"i iCap ,' 36yds: Miss Glarratt, 1; Miss Hilda Creaghe, 2. Time, 42 5-5s Neat Header Championship' of Auckland: A beautiful exhibition of neat divine was given by capable exponents of the art. , The winners were—W. Sinton, 1; R. Easthope, t li y? rie /. y R - ace = Competitors to swim across the baths first time breast stroke, second trudgecn stroke third on their backs, fourth overarm—R. Bell, 1; H. Creaghe, 2 • Consolation Relay Race: North Shore Sailing Club's team (Messrs. F.. A. and P. Warbrick, A. Mays and W. Sinton) 1 ' A protest was'lodged against the winners of the relay race which took place at the afternoon gathering, and this will be heard to-night. . The sports were followed by a smoke concert at the Federal Clubrooms in the evening, and yesterday the club held a fishin<r excursion and harbour picnic in honour of their visitors.

AUCKLAND SWIMMING CLUB. The Auckland Swimming Club notify that an extraordinary general meeting 0 the club will be held in the Sports Club Rooms on_ Tuesday evening, the 7th inst. Business is important and all members and intending members are requested to attend.