AUSTRALIAN SWIMMERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22608, 22 December 1936, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN SWIMMERS

THE FINAL CARNIVAL RULES FOR SURF MEMBERS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Monday The final appearance of the Australians, Arthur O'Connor, diving champion, and W. Fleming, free-style and backstroke champion, drew an interested crowd to the Lower Hutt baths. Fleming, who had been confined to bed through illness contracted after leaving Christchnreh, rather than disappoint the crowd, swam in the 100 yds. free-style invitation event, which he won in 60 2-ss. Thereafter O'Connor filled the gap admirably with an exhibition of plain and fancy diving. At the conclusion of the carnival a presentation of greenstone tikis was made to the visitors by the chairman of the Wellington Amateur Swimming Association. Mr. Dudley Hellmrich, the manager, was presented with a piece of carved kauri. The team left to-day by the Awatea. Mr. P. Hellmrich. who was formerly secretary of the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association, said that on his return to Sydney he would make every endeavour to induce the Australian Union temporarily to waive the restriction respecting the disqualification of surf members who compete in still-water swimming carnivals, so as to enable members of the Australian 'surf team to tour New Zealand next February to fall in line with the wishes of the New Zealand Surf Association and compete at still-water carnivals.