SWIMMING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 10

SWIMMING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

A great impetus has been givSn to Auckland swimming during the past week by the visit of the team of Sydney swimmers. Auckland is perhaps the most enthusiastic swimming centre in New Zealand, and certainly has demonstrated its right to the title of champion centre. Various things have, however, occurred this season to give the sport a sot-back, -and the Australians' visit has come at a very opportune moment. To see the seating accommodation at the Albert Street Baths absolutely incapable of supplying the needs of would-be spectators is an unusual occurrence, but sucli has been the case twice already this " week, and all must admit that those who managed to get in got more than their money's worth. At the first carnival, held on Tuesday evening, the visitors had not had sufficient j time after their journey to show their truo worth, but nevertheless hey gave every indication that they are swimmers far above the average. Especially so was this apparent in the two champions of the team —Harold IJardwick and Miss Fanny Durack. Hardwick, who is in the very first flight of the world's swimmers, impressed the spectators by his showing in the 220 yds event. His action aroused the envy of all who saw it. He seems to make a practice of crawling the first two laps, disconcerting his opponents, to a certain extent, and making up much leeway Then lie settles down to a steady trudge, perfect in execution, and extremely fast, and easy for the swimmer. Conceding Champion 4s in the furlong, lip won by a touch in 2m. 34 4-ss, and was just beaten for first place in the final of the event. On Thursday evening he gave a magnificent exhibition in the 440 yds, in which event both he and Champion started off scratch. . Rarely has it been the good fortune of Aucklanders, or New Zealanders as a whole, to see such a great race between two such giants in the swimming world. Hardwick at once rushed to the front and gained a lead of 2yds on the New Zealand champion, and' then the race began in grim earnest. Lap after lap was covered with hardly any alteration in the positions of the two men, though Champion reduced the gap by about half a yard. It was at the turns that the Sydney man. gained his advantage, though Champion generally made up the deficiency in the 36yds straight. Neck and neck they raced, with Hardwick just a yard in front, until the last lap was reached. Champion again lost at the turn, and Hardwick led by nearly 3yds when the pair turned to fight out the last Bvds. Champion made a great effort, but the Australian" touched the rope 3yds to the good. Wild entliuiasm followed, each man being cheered to the echo, and the applause was renewed when the time was announcedsm 335. Hard-

wick thus came within a very'short distance of his own best performance— 30s—and lowered the New Zealand record by over ,2s, while Champion was also about 2-58 inside the record- It was a fine effort on the part of both men, and few who saw the race will soon forget it.

Much interest centred in the appearance of the world's lady champion, Miss Fanny Durack, who, the week she left for Auckland, broke every world's record for ladies from 50yds to one mile. She was not in her best form on Tuesday evening, though she swam extremely wfell, but she left little to be desired at the second carnival on Thursday. She commenced by covering 36yds in 21 2-ss, in the dual relay race, though handicaps she was giving away did not allow her to win. When it came to the Gore-Gillon Handicap, a 50yds event for ladies, she had to concede.6s to the speedy little Auckland girl, Miss Dolly Farquhar, and was beaten by her the heat in 37 2-ss. In the final, however, Miss Durack electrified the spectators. Her only opponent was Miss Farquhar, who swam j well, but was not a match for the illus-

trious Australian, who swam -in wonderful form, winning by a yard in 30s, easily a New Zealand record, and only Is below her own world's record. Such a burst of speed wa3 totally unexpected, and Miss 'Durack was loudly applauded by the spec--tators. The neat dive was somewhat exceptional in. that the competitors included a lady, needless to say, Miss Durack. A small boy dived exceedingly neatly, and won the frequent applause of the audience, who resented the decision when the Sydney girl was awarded first place, was, however, no doubt about the correctness of

the decision. Miss Durack's flight and recovery were irreproachable, and she was an easy winner. The public evidently judged on the amount of splash the .competitors made, without taking into consideration the size of the .various divers, or their methods. ' •< This afternoon the visitors will appear for the last time, and as a very attractive programme has been arranged, a still larger attendance may be expected. The Australians leave for home by the Sydney boat on Monday, with the exception of the manager (Mr. D'Arcy) and Hardwick," both of whom, fofter a brief visit to Rotorua, will compete at a Wellington carnival on Thursday, leaving for home on Friday. There is every probability that a team of Australian champions will make a tour of New Zealand next year. ' At present it is considered that they will arrive in time for the New Zealand champion meeting, competing also at Christchurch, Wellington, and Hawke's Bay, making two appearances at Auckland.

GIRLS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL. ANNUAL SPORTS. The annual sports of the Girls' Grammar School were held at Shelly Beach Bath yesterday. There was a large attendance of pupils, parents and friends, and some good races were witnessed. Following were the results: — Novice Races.—Class A: B. Pennalligen, 1; T. Lunn, ?; I. Inness, 3. Class B: E. Allely, 1; J. Richardson, 2; L. Carlson, 3. Class C: N. Robb, 1 : J Neill, 2; B. Williams, 3. ' Upper School Championship, 75yds: D. Parkinson, 1; H. Alexander, 2: G Hutton, 3.

Middle School Championship, 75yds: D. Duder, 1; H. Pennalligen, 2; E. Vickerman, 3. Lower School Championship, 75yds: J. Richardson, 1. Neat Dive.—Class A E. Oliver 1W. Forde 2; D. Adams, 3. Class B • H. Pennalligen, 1; G. Kemp, 2 ; T. Solomon, 3. Class C: M. Pacey, 1; J. Lan? 2; B. Williams, 3. ' g Open Races, 50yds.—Class A • D Parkinson , 1; O. Hutton, 2; K. McLeod', 3. Class B: D. Duder, 1; p. Harty, 2; M. Harvey, 3. Age Races, 30yds.—Class A: N Robb I. Class B : M. Wilcock, 1; G. Kyd 2. Class C : G. Kemp, 1; M. Harrison' 2. Class D :J. Richardson, 1; E. Vickerman, 2 Class E: E. Allely, 1; J. Lang, 2. Class I : D. Duder, 1; E. Oliver 2 Class G: H. Pennalligen, 1. Class' • G. Hutton, 1; K. McLeod, 2; M. Ballantyne, 3. l/lass K : P. Harty, 1 • M. Harvey, 2. Neat Header.—Class A : H. Alexander, 1; D. Ravenhill, 2. Class B : D. Olphert 1; J. Heather, 2. Back Races, 30yds.—Class A : M. Harvey, 1; M. Egerton, 2. Class B : E. Vickerman, 1; D. Parkinson, 2. Class C : D. Olphert, 1; G. Kemp, 2. Corfu Dive.—B. Mcßae and D. Parkinson, dead heat, 1; Vickerman, 3. Egg and ' Spoon Race.Class A: D. Crauch. 1; T. Solomon, 2; W. Forde, 3. Class B : D. Ravenhill, 1; P. Harty, 2; R. Pennalligen, 3. Class C: D. Duder, 1; D. Olphert, 2; D. Leonard, 3. Long Dive. —D. Ravenhill, 1 * H. Alexander, 2; E. Oliver, 3. Costume Race.—P. Harty, 1. Old Girls' Race.—H. Taylor, 1; J. McKay, 2; D. Mactier, 3. Plunge Race, 30yds.—Class A : D. Parkinson, 1; J. Richardson, 2. Class B : H. Pennalligen, 1. Old Girls' Neat Dive.—B. Baxter, 1; B. GrieTSon, 2; F. Fowler, 3. Relay Races.Class A : Upper School, Form VI., 1. Class B : Middle School, Form IV. b, 1. Class C : Lower School, Form 111. d, 1. Consolation Race, 30yds.— MeArthur, 1; D. Leonard, 2; J. Raynor, 3. Old Girls' Dive.—H. Taylor, 1.