SWIMMING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22352, 25 February 1936, Page 7

SWIMMING

NEXT OLYMPIC GAMES SUPPORT FOR MISS LEYDON NEW HANDICAPPING RULE A suggestion that the New Zealand lady distance swimming champion, Miss Mona Level on, should be nominated for tho Olympic Gaines in Berlin in August and that every endeavour should he made to bring about her selection in the New Zealand team was enthusiastically adopted by the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association last night. Data was produced showing that Miss Leydon's times compared favourably with those of lady champions in Australia, South Africa, England and other countries, and that she was probably the best lady middle-distance swimmer in the British Empire. The view was expressed that the public would support any move to give Miss Leydon the opportunity of attending the''Games. ■Recommendations for improving the conduct of swimming carnivals were embodied in a report presented Dy the management committee. The chief euggestion was that competitors in heats should be grohped according to their ability, the speediest swimmers thus being pitted against one another. It was considered that such a procedure would be fairer to the competitors nhd officials, and that it would cause the racing to be more interesting for the spectators. The recommendations were adopted. Another suggestion was submitted by the handicapping committee: —"That in all races handicapped by the centre's committee of distances ranging from 50 yards to 100 yards a basis of handicap be published in the programme and that if a competitor breaks the basis by more than two seconds .i in distances of 50 yards and 66 yards, and by more than three seconds in 100 yards he or she shall be automatically disqualified." The committee stated that this rule would discourage competitors from supplying incorrect information on their tirnea when nominating for races. It was resolved to enforce the rule. The chairman, Mr. T. C. Hobbs-Jones, extended a welcome to Mr. L. Kenny, manager of tho team that represented Auckland in tlie New Zealand champiouships at Dunedin laßt week. Good reports had been received <>£ the team's conduct, said Mr. Hobbs-Joneii, and it had been more successful than was expected. It was decided to congratulate each swimmer. It wag also agreed that a letter should be sent to the Otago Centre expressing appreciation of its kindness to the team and other Aucklanders accompanying it. A request from the Parnell Club to decide the 500 yards inter-club relay championship on Thursday evening was granted, as also was one from the Wait&mata Club for authority to swim tho 220 yards ladies' championship of Auckland at a later carnival. The Otahuhu Club applied for per-" mission to institute Auckland championships for tiny tot boys and girls, the distance being 33 1-3 yards. The opinion was expressed that these contests would encourage juvenile swimmers to become interested in championship competition. Accordingly, _it •was decided that, the champioiyihips be inaugurated, and that the Otahuhu Club be permitted to decide the first at itß carnival on March 24. Permission was granted the Ponsonby Club to conduct Auckland championships, men's 100 metres, intermediate boys 50 metres and intermediate girls 50 metres at its carnival in the Tepid Baths on March 17. The Auckland champion, Miss V. Coulthurst, Parnell Club, was granted permission to attempt to lower at her club's carnival on Thursday evening Miss Ena Stockley's New Zealand ladies' record for 50 yards, 28 2-ss. A recommendation by the management committee, that no club should negotiate for the services of visiting swimmers without first obtaining ' the permission of the centre, was adopted unanimously. With a view to minimising anomalous discussions, the formation of a panel of diving judges to officiate at all ■ont.ests held by the centre or affiliated clubs*was supported. The management committee reported that it had requested certain swimmers and officials to furnish an explanation for participating in an unauthorised carnival at Birkenhead on February 15. It also advised that it had approved the decision of a li-mile harbour races for the Morgan Cup by the North Shore Club on March 7, and that of a l}-mile harbour race by the Otahuhu Club on March 15. It had also allowed the Ponsonby Club to conduct » carnival in the Tepid ißaths on March 17 and the Otahuhu Club another there on March 24. PARNELL CLUB'S CARNIVAL A lengthy programme of handicap and championship events has been drafted by the Parnell Amateur Swimming Club for its carnival in the Tepid Baths on Thursday evening. Auckland champions who competed prominently at the New Zealand senior championships in Dunedin will appear in several of the races.