SWIMMING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19254, 17 February 1926, Page 15

SWIMMING NOTES.

WAITEMATA CLUB'S GALA.

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

CRIER'S DEFEAT OIF CHRISTIE, Very little of note was accomplished at the first carnival alter the New Zea,land championships held in the Tepid Baths last Tuesday by the Waitemata | club. However, there was close racing that fully satisfied a large gathering of spectators. The ladies' 100 yds handicap, in which Miss E. Stockley and Miss P. Page appeared, was easily the most interesting race of the evening. This was the last appearance of the two champions before their departure for Australia, and their performances were eagerly watched. In her heat, Miss Stockley was responsible for the best performance of the evening, winning it in 68 3-ss, with Miss Page third. The New Zealand sprint champion was not up to form in the final, and finished third. Bridson performed# well in the 220 yds club handicap, in which he gained second place. Baird did not compete in this event. Although both Fairgray and Adamson obtained places during the evening, they gave the impression that they ; were not doing their best. ; The first event of any importance in the Australian swimming championships was the 220 yds decided recently at Perth. Eeneral opinion seemed to denote M. hristie, of New South Wales, as the winner, but he failed to come up to expectations and was defeated by R. Grier, of Queensland, in the final, The two heats were productive of some very good swimming. In the first, all three placed men finished inside the Western Australian record of 2m 35 4-Ss, i Christie winning in 2m 29 2-ss. Grier | was never extended in the second heat | and won in 2m 31 4-ss. | There were five starters in the final and from a beautiful start Girier immediately went to the front, with Jones, close up, second. Turning at the 50yds mark, Grier gained a couple of yards with a beautiful turn. At 100 yd the order was unchanged, except that Grier had slightly increased his lead. Jones made a big attempt to reduce Grier's lead after passing the 150 yds mark, but it was of no avail, and Grier eventually won comfortably by a couple of yards in the splendid time of 2m 30 2-ss. The time for the race was much better than it seems on account of a heavy side swell, caused by a strong wind which had been blowing all day. Jones two or three yards ahead of Christie, with Howson a very close-up fourth. , Lr v ■F. Carberry, of New South Wales, won the 100 yds. 'backstroke championship by about 10yds in 1m 15s. L. Fairgray's N.Z. record for the 150ycls. backstroke is lm 52 3-ss, and, on his recent performance, Carberry could very nearly equal this. N. C. Stockley is probably the second-best backstroke swimmer in New Zealand, and it is to be hoped that he will be seen in competition with Carbcriry before he returns from Australia. The* competitors in the Australian championship events were forced to wear caps while swimming. This was requested by the Western Australian Association and was met by a refusal from all tfee swimmers, including the local competitors. They eventually agreed, under protest, but the argument lasted well over'a quarter of an hour. In Christie's opinion the association had no right to enforce the wearing of caps, as they allowed the heats to be contested without them. However this course is to .be pursued, and caps will have to be worn in all the events. A wag in the crowd suggested that the swimmers should wear shoes and socks also. Christie avenged his defeat m tim 220 yds. by winning the halt-mile and mile events with the utmost es.se. In the former race ho led all ithe way, wiul** from ft good start in the mile Christie again took the lead and in spite of a cob lision with Jones eventually won by 60 yards in 24m. 24 4-ss. The breast-stroke event was morn evenly contested, &nd was uaventually won by the holder of the title, J. Sousaari (Queensland), from Stevens and Smith Western Australia). From a good start, Sousaari and Stevens went to the front, and it was evident that the race was between these two. At 100 yards Sousaari held a slight advantage, eventually winning by two yards. The tinier was 3m. ■ Is. AUCKLAND ROWING. THE MERCER REGATTA. GOOD CONTESTS EXPECTED. The Mercer Regatta always proves very enjoyable and it is little wonder the oarsmen are keenly looking forward to nejtt Saturday's fixture. Good entries have been received for all events, with the exception of the senior fours. The Hamilton club, which was a strong advocate at the beginning of the season for a senior fours race in all programmes, has failed to enter and much disappointment is expressed. This club's senior fours, present holders of the New Zealand Fours Championship, has had only one race this season, at the Hamilton Regatta, and the showing then not convincing. The Waitemata Club's crew on that cocasion gave them a* good raoflj but has sittce altered its crew, which is now greatly strengthened. A clash with Hamilton was looked upon as an event: worth going a long way to see, but fo:f some reason Hamilton has iailed ( to enter. . At Mercer the crews will row with trie current, quite a change alter the hard, slogging races at Hamilton. The crews can reckon on a good courue. Eight entries have been received iott the Single Sculls, Handicap, and, if all start, it should be a fine irace. In addition to the rowing races, several Maori events are included in the programme and are bound to provide a lot of amusement. The thirteenth annual Inter-club race for the Smith Shield proved somewhat disappointing and has leit a dissatisfied feeling among several clubs. Perhaps the foul that occurred half-way over Lie course would stand more investigation. The umpire's boat did not give mm _ a commanding view of the race, but the argument arose when the judges, after a delav. srave their decision in favour of the Auckland crew. It, made everyone wonder, and set up a lengthy argumenL Perhaps that decision will stand, although there are protests lodged. The Auckland Rowing Club will hold an "at home" on March 13, and, everything being favourable, the Maurice C&ro Cup contest will then be rowed. The club will also row a set of trial eights. PR. TEDDY MORGAN. COACHING SWANSEA BACKS. There are few New Zealanders to whom the name of Dr. Teddy Morgan is not familiar. He was the scorer of the most famous try in the history of Rugby—the one which inflicted on the 1905 Ail Blacks their only defeat. On that occasion a delighted critic acclaimed him as the fastest football sprinter in the world. . This season he has taken up the task of coaching the Swansea team, and on his first appearance in this capacity : showed that he has still retained some of his famous speed and has more pace than many players of the present ; generation. The Swansea team has recently fallen on somewhat lean years, but under the old international's tuition they have shown steadily improving form.