ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19149, 15 October 1925, Page 8

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

SWIMMING NOTES.

■OUTLOOK FOR THE SEASON. HIGH LOCAL STANDARD. THE DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS. Xever before has the outlook for a j swimming season in Auckland been so full ; of promise as at present. The city now j possesses eleven swimmers who hold New Zealand championship lilies or records, go that local carnivals should be up to the standard of a Dominion championship meeting, with competition of the highest order. With #o many good swimmers competing it will he surprising it several of the ; existing records arc not lowered before , the season ends and if some new talent j is not discovered. All can be expected j to qivc of their best with the object of j selection for the New Zealand champion- j shins at Napier. . In deference to the general opinion that the last championships •should have been held earlier than in February this season's tournament at Napier has been S et down for January 23, 25, 2, and -9, wil h the Kelierman Cup race on January 28. The Auckland championship* must therefore be decided by the middle of January and probably they will be held between the last week in December and the first fortnight, in the New Year under the jurisdiction of the Auckland Centre. , , , The team chosen should he a formidab e one and quite capable of retaining the Ynldhurst Shield. At Napier the events will be decided in the salt water baths, which have the reputation of being the f-stest in the Dominion and in that case local representatives will have conditions in iheir favour as the swimming is done in sait < , vh ch is admittedly better than fresh water for the establishment of fast times. Swimmers From Overseas, in the past the New Zealand Association has been busy negotiating dmWE. Trt.hr for ». «v» «•,? •America's famous swimmers but so iai nctlvi definite has been decided upon ifwas hoped that J. Weismuller the greatest speed swimmer tne voild ha even known, would accept an Austiaha.i invitation and extend his tour to the Dominion, but he has declined °make the trip and for another veai, at least., m wdl not leave his country where us services at championship gatherings are regarded cis indispensable. . Bearing in mind that a lady swimmer from overseas would meet with mole opposition from New Zealand -aches a would a man competing against our men, whose standard of prowess is i-r from high, the association then turned to j Gertrude Ederle, the young n swimmer, who recently made, a fiie a tf empt to swim the English Cham •. . Thfmatter is still in its elementary stages Deriding receipt ot information from Australia but if the association finally decides to carry out its pioposal and 'Miss Ederle accepts its the venture will be a great attraction Even in the case ot her refusal thuare plenty more overseas swimmers m +he first flight who could be approached. Indeed, a visit from an Australian team would be by no means the Dominl ° n body's last lesource and would be a comparatively economical undertaking. Last Year the sport sufterea a se\ue reverse "through the infantile paralysis epidemic. Xo~"more striking proot of the interest taken in swimming bv the school children of Auckland could have been disclosed than in the meagre attendances at galas and at the baths while the presence of children was prohibited. _ * Baths difficulties also had a retarding influence, but these have since been remedied, and' the- restoration of warm water at the Hobson Street baths and of the fortnightly club nights are bound to bring further progressSwimmers Resume Training. So far as is known all the champions will be reappearing on the starting board again. The majority are in light training already, realising that they will need to be in form earlier than last year. Adamson, Enwright, Pelham and Cunnold are getting into form again for freestyle events. Baird is a swimmer of whom great things are expected this season, and the other swimmers mentioned will probably find him a hard proposition over distances. This applies also to C. Sparling in sprint races._ Fairgray and Stock ley will pay attention to back-stroke as well as free-style. W. I'. Smith and Meikle should again do well as sprinters. The most promising young swimmer is Bridson, who is more than likely to test the seniors over distances before long. It would be pleasing to record that L. Kronneld was taking the sport seriously again. Except for the graduation of junior girls to higher grades there will be no change ia the personnel of local lady swimmers, with the possible addition of Miss L. Coutts, who won the New Zealand junior championship in 1924. It is understood she contemplates training again with a view to competing in the intermediate class. She should take a lot of beating in her class and have good chances of annexing the Dominion titles. Miss J. Bell is now a senior and will probably specialise in long-distance swimming, a department in which she will have a stern rival in Miss Page, who has the Dominion 220 yds. and 440 yds. titles to defend. Miss Stock ley appears to be without danger of being beaten over the shorter distances. Prospects are that she will be invited to compete in the Australian ladie? ehampionshipr. in Sydney early next year. Miss Pid.teon will again take tip the breast-stroke, and with the experience gained in her first season should worthily test challengers for her 220 yds. New Zealand championship title. Waitemata Club's Meeting. The report of the Waitemata Swimming Club to be presented at the annual meeting in the; Chamber of Commerce this evening shows that last season was remarkable for the success of members of the club in Auckland and New Zealand championships. J'n the provincial championships club members secured no fewer than 11 vans ont of 12 even's and filled second place m 10 races. The Waitemata ! A team won the water polo championship without defeat, and .J. Enwright lowered the m.-n's 440vds. record to 5m 44 3-ss. in a learn of Vi. > • h-le.l to represent the--prow, tti-o al 'lie .New Zealand champion.sHip*, 1; Waitemata club members .named p:a< < . ]'.i::;ht won Dominion tides and in «hi> 440.\ds. and 8B0;?ds. open j championships the club's swimmers filled all three places— a reeord. Beeords were, established by Miss ('!. I'ithreon, 220 yds. ladies' breast-stroke, 3m 45 3-ss; D. jv!ham. 440 yds. open,'sm 38 2 ss; L. Fairgray. 150 yds. back-stroke. 3m 56 4-ss. Subsequently Miss d. Bell established a new intermediate girls' record of P m 57 3-5s for 220 yds. and Miss F. Stockley oroke the ladies' Australian and New Zealand record of 66s for 100 yds., covering the distance in 65 3 ss. Th" loss on the four galas held last season was £l7. but the club lias a cash balance of £146 with no liabilities, YACHTING. THE iON A UP FOR SALE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN. Wednesday. Mr. P. Hunter has decided to sell Inn 14-footer lona, winner of the Sanders and Linton Cutis .at Auckland this .veer. The boat xa not, likely to leave Olasro, as there are a number of prospective local buyers.

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. TWO PLAYERS CAUTIONED. The Management Committee of tho Auckland Busby Union met Inst evening. Mr. H. Frost presiding. With regard to the final match for the Pollard Cup, between Grammar Old Boys and Grafton, at Eden Park last Saturday, the referee, Mr. C. F. Paul!, wrote stating that he ordered off A. Knight (Grammar) and I-;.. Thomas (Grafton), for striking opponents. Knight struck Sorrenson. The offence was not serious, but if allowed to go unnoticed ihe game might have become rough, so he deemed it advisable to order him off. Thomas, >vho was by no means a rough player, but was of excitable nature, struck L. Knight, who had allegedly used offensive language to him. Mr. I aull, who mentioned that, he was unable to attend any meeting of the union, said he considered a caution would fit each ease. Both nlavers appeared before the committee. A." Knight denied striking anybody and said that after the match he was accused by the referee of swinging his arms and closed fists as he broke away from a scrum, but when the game was stopped he was taxed with striking Sorrenson, lie was not cautioned previously and was keeping away from the ball in case he got a bid name. Mr. T. H. .Dawson moved that no further action be taken and the chairman should personally caution Knight. Mr. A. Belcher seconded and the motion was carThomas said he struck L. Kpight for using offensive language. He did wrong, and the referee did the right thing. The referee had not cautioned him at any previous stage. A motion by Mr. S. Kronfeld, seconded by Mr. G. Nicholson, that Thomas should be treated ill the same manner as Knight, was carried. Marist Old Boys were declared winners of the. sixth grade championship and were congratulated on their success. _ Grammar Old Boys were given permission to send a third grade team to Helensville on Saturday to paly Knipara juniors. The club was congratulated on winning the Pollard Cup. The Grafton senior team was to travel to Pukekohe to play North Waikato representatives on Saturday. The Thames Rugby Union applied for a visit from a team from Auckland on Saturday and expressed regret that the expected visit of Ponsonby seniors would not eventuate. A match between the Auckland junior representatives and Thames_ B team was proposed. The committee decided that it was impossible to send a team as tho season had now closed. Authority was given for purchase of tTie Newton training, shed from the Newton Club. NORTHERN WAIKATO TEAM. The following have been selected to represent- Northern Waikato Union in a match against Grafton Club at Pukekohe on Saturday :—Fullback, S. Duder; threequarters, L. Wood. J. Wood, McDonald: five-eighths, J. Lewis, O. Cronin; halfback, G. Wilson; rover, A. Wray; forwards. Kinlock, Heard, J. Massey, Marshall, Ingram, C. Dromgool, I. Cathcart. Emergencies: Revell, F, Harvey. LEAGUE FOOTBALL. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. MARIST TO PLAY PONSONBY. The Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby League met last evening, the chairman, Mr. W. J. Hammill, presiding. Permission was granted to Marist and Ponsonby Clubs to play at Carlaw Park on Labour Day. Tne Labour Day Committee has agreed to donate a, set of gold medals to the -winners. Fraser and Sons' foundry employees were allotted No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park for a match next Saturday. A claim for the cost of timber used in erection of the dressing-sheds built two years ago caused considerable discussion. Mr. Hammill said the timber came as a donation and due recognition was given in the form of appointment as a life member to Carlaw Park. It. was decided to defend the claim. LAWN TENNIS. THE HERALD CLUB. The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Herald Tennis Club ; —Club captain, Mr. Roughton; secretary, Miss G. McLeay; treasurer, Miss U. Dawson: auditor, Mr. D. A. Taylor; committee. Misses Cooke, McCarthny and McGregor, Messrs. Taylor, Roughton and Burton. It was decided to onen the season on October 31. NO SUNDAY PLAY, DECISION. AT TATUANUI. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MORRINSVILLE, Wednesday. The Tatuanui Tennis Club held a special general meeting to consider the question of Sunday play upon the club's courts, and, by 14 votes to 9, decided agairst Sunday play. .MORRINSVILLE CLUB. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MORRINSVILLE. Wednesday. The Morrinsville Tennis Club held its official opening in fine, weather. In declaring the courts open the Mayor, Mr. Gummer, remarked upon tho great improvements made during the oli season, especially mentioning the asphalt courts and commodious new pavilion. He exhorted every member to assist the executive in making the season a successful one. A Yankee tournament resulted in a win for Miss R. Lowry and J. Mclsaac, who beat Miss D. Lowry and S. Palmer in the fina' s—l. BOWLING. MORRINSVILLE CLUB. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MORRINSVILLE. Wednesday. Glorious weather ushered in the Morrinsville Bowling Club's official opening. The green was in capital condition. Full rinks of visitors were present from the Frankton Railway. Whitora, Te Aroha and Claudelands Clubs. The president, Mr. A. Needham, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, and new members. He mentioned tbat_ considerable improvements had been carried out to the pavilion and green. A match, president v. vice-president, was played. At the? afternoon tea adjournment two presentations were made. The first was to Mr. D. Coghill, the retiring preen keeper, of a handsome travelling clc:k in a morocco leather case, and the other to Mr. K. G. Moncrief, the secretary, of a solid leather bowl case. The membership of the club is now G2. GOLF. i PAPAKURA LADIES' CLUB. The final round for Mrs. Pirio's trophy, played between members of the Papakura Ladies' Golf Club, was won by Miss McLennan, with a. net score of 78. Miss McLennan wins the trophy with an average score of 84. _ The junior troohy was won by Miss While, with a score of 8!). Saturday will be closing day. In the morning driving, approaching and putting competitions will bo held, and in tho afternoon mixed foursomes will be played. TATJMARUNUT CLUB. { by. TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] T A I'M Alt UNUI, Wednesday. In ihe filial of fhe Taumarunui Golf Club's senior championship, it. C. Leese defeated •T, Soler, last year's champion, 3 and 2. Both Leesc and Soler played good golf. Leese being very accurate with bis short work and playing a good all-round game. THE WANCJANUI FINAL. [by TELEGRAPH. OWN correspondent. ] WA X (lANTJI, Wednesday. In her defeat, of. Miss Pay ton in the filial °! tne_ Wnnganui ladies' tournament Mrs Guy Williams won by 4 and 2.