SWIMMING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 6

SWIMMING.

AUSTRALIANS' FIRST APPEARANCE! A SUCCESSFUL CARNIVAL, HARDWICK IN FINE FORM. Seating accommodation was at a premium at the Albert Street baths last night, when the tea mof Sydney swimmers made their first appearance in Auckland. The carnival, which was held under the auspices of the Auckland Swimming Centre, was easily the most interesting seen in Auckland for a very long time, and from beginning to end there was no lack of excitement. Although they had been on land only about 24 hours, the Sydney men were in fine condition. Hardwick in particular impressed the spectators for his fine efforts in the 220 yds event, the only one in which he competed. Great interest was taken in his meeting with Champion, whom he conceded 4s in 220 yds, and the race produced the finest finish of the evening, the visitor ultimately beating the Aucklander by a touch after a magnificent struggle. Hardwick's beautiful stroke impressed all who saw him. He swims a long easy stroke, and uses the left leg to great advantage, and those who watched him closely over the finishing stages of his race with Champion noticed that although he was getting through the water faster he was Bwimming two strokes to Champion's three. Miss Fanny Durack, the world's lady champion, made an impressive first appearance. In the 36yds handicap for ladies she gave away no less than lis, and Miss Dolly Farquhar, the Auckland champion, was in receipt of ss. Nevertheless Miss Durack swam cplendidly, and in her heat was beaten for a place by a touch only. She had intended to make an attempt on her own world's 100 yds record of lm 6s, but as she had only been about 24 hours off the boat —and she is far from being a good sailor decided to give an exhibition swim over 220 yds, and make an attempt on the 100 yds record later in the week. Unpaced, she gave a first-class exhibition, and swam the distance in 3m 10scertainly, a high-class performance. The evening's sport was in every way most interesting, and the incidental music provided by the Bavarian Band added not a little, to the enjoyment of the carnival. The second carnival will be held tomorrow night. * Following are the results: — Novice Handicap, 36yds (prizes valued at £1 Is and 10s 6d).— heat: D. Stewart, scr., 3.; L. Fraser, scr., 2. Also started: E. Cogan, scr.; G. Preston, Is; J. Oaiden, 25.; D. Morgan. 2s; E. W. Wheeler, 2s. Time, 20 2-ss.' Second heat: H. G. Perrett, 2s, 1; W. S. Perrett, scr., 2. Also started : S. Beswick, 2s; R. Woolf, 2s; V. Jones, 2s; T. A. Keesing, 3s. Time, 23 2-ss. Third heat: C. Farquhar, 4s, 1; N. R. Vause, 2s, 2. Also started : W. P. Stone, 2s; H. Wilson. 2s; D. Stewart, os; W. Douglas, 3s. Time, 24 2-ss. Final: D. Stewart, scr., 1; H. G. Perrett, 2s, 2; N. R. Vause, 2s, 3. All qualified started. Time, 20 3-ss.

Sydney Handicap, 36yds (trophies valued at £2 2s and 15s).—First heat: G. S. Reid, 4s, 1. Also .started': M. E. Champion, Is; W. J, Hand, 3s. A fine race, inches separating the three. Time, 21s. Second heat: H. Blyth, ss, 1. Also started : F. B. Hickson /Sydney), 2s; H. J. Goffin, ss; W. Barris, ss. Won easily. Time, 20s. Third heat: L. Postlewaight, sis, 1. Also started : C. Thomas (Sydney), ljs; J. Hyams, 3s; G. Buchanan, 4s; W. P. Stone, 6s; J. Green, 6s. Won by a touch from Thomas. Time, 225. Fourth heat: J. Enwright, 3s, 1. Also started : A. F. Woollams, 3s; H. Keegan, 6s; J. Sands, 6s. Won easily. Time, 20 2-ss. Fifth heat: M. J. Paitry, 4s, 1. Also started : A. Cowley, 3s; A. Nicholson, 4s; W. Tailley, ss; J. C. Hancox, sis. Hardwick (Sydney) did not start. Time, 19 3-ss. Sixth heat: W. J. Gibbons, 1. Also started : F. J. Preston, 4s; J. Cowley, 4s. Smith (Sydney) was a non-starter. Time, 21, 3-ss. Final: H. Blyth, ss, 1; J. Enwright, 3s, 2; M. J. Paitry, 4s, 3. All qualified started. Won very easily. ' Time, 21s. Ladies' Handicap, 36yds (trophies valued at 15s and 7s 6d}.—First heaU Miss D. Farquhar, ss, 1; Miss W. White, 10s, 2. Also started : Misses Fanny Durack (Sydney), scr.; K. Harty, 6s; M. Huntly, lis. Miss Durack swam splendidly, and was just beaten by a touch for second place: Time, 23 4-ss. Second heat: Miss E. Ferguson, sss, 1; Miss D. Large, 7s, 2. Also started : Misses L. M. Parker, 9s, and E. Tilsley, 10s. Time, 24 l-ss. Final: Miss D. Farquhar, ss, 1; Miss W. White, 10s, 2 ; Miss E. Ferguson, s£s, 3. All qualified' started. Time, 245. Akarana Handicap, 72yds (trophies valued at £2 2s and 15s).—First heat: M. E. Champion, 2s, 1. Also started: F. B. Hickson (Sydney), ss; L. Weston, s£s; R. B. Hogan, 9s; A. Nicholson, 10s. Won on the touch. Time, 40- l-ss. Second heat: C. Thomas (Sydney), 3s, 1. Also started : C. Sinton, 345; M. C. Stranger, 4s; O. Anderson, Bb. Won by 2ft. Time, 42 l-ss. Third heat: W. Barris, 10s, w.0., 1. Fourth heat: J. D. Stewart, 6s, 1. Also started : P. W. Longdill, 7s; J. I. Hancox, lis; J. Green, 12s. Won by a yard. ' Time, 44 3-ss. Fifth heat: W. Cowley, 12s, w.0., 1. Final: J. D. Stewart. 6s. 1; M. E. Champion, 2s, 2; C. Thomas (Sydney), 3s, 3. Won by inches, a touch between second arid third. Time, 445. Neat Header.— Martin, 1. Six competed. Martin won from Blennerhasset, after a fine exhibition by all the competitors. Olympic Handicap, 220 yds; trophies £2 2s and £1 Is.—First heat: Harold Hardwick (Sydney), scr., 1; M. E. Champion, 4s, 2. Also started : W. Dumper, 225; J. P. Mitchell, 295; P. J. Preston, 345. Dumper led' for most of the journey, but all eyes were on the two back-markers, Champion and Hardwick. The former maintained the advantage his handicap gave him for four laps, but when Hardwick commenced to trudge, he had the New Zealand crack well in hand, and! turning at the end of the fifth, the pair were on terms. A fine contest ensued over the final length, and 30yds from home the pair, swimming together, caught the leaders, the race then resting between them. At the last turn, Byds from home, Champion and Hardwick were still together, but tTie Australian, swimming a lovely stroke, beat the Aucklander by a foot, amidst great enthusiasm. Time. 2m 34 4-5». Second heat: C. Sinton, 10s, 1; T. D. H'utcheon, 255, 2. The only starters. « Won easily. Time, 2m 555. Third heat: F. H. Masters, 19s, 1; S. Smith (Sydney), 12s, 2. Also started--. M. C. Stranger, 14s; A, Campbell, 245. Time, 3m 04-sfi. Final: C. Sinton, 10s, 1; F. H. Masters, 19,5, and Harold Hardwick (Sydney), scr., dead heat, 2. Malcolm Champion, to the disappointment of the spectators, did not start. Masters swimming strongly, was soon in the lead, but Hardwick and Sinton gained on the leaders at every stroke. Turning at the end of the fifth lap, Hardwick was some yards behind Sinton, but his easy stroke told all through, and heading for home, he was almost on terms with Sinton and Masters. Sinton ultimately touc-ed the rope with a lead of less than a yard, and the Australian and Masters finished together. Time. 2m 40s. Hardwick''s time was about 2m 375.