DOMINION'S HOPES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22955, 5 February 1938, Page 17

DOMINION'S HOPES

PROSPECTS REVIEWED SWIMMING AND ATHLETICS HISTORY OF GATHERING Athletic events in the afternoon and swimming contests in the evening will constitute the first competitive fixtures of the Empire Games, following the opening to-day. Among the New Zealand representatives, those considered to have the best prospects of success are C. H. Matthews, in the three iniles, ~\V. A. Pullar, in the mile, and S. A. Lay, in the javelin throw. The Auckland swimmer, Miss M. Leyclon, is expected to win the 440 yards free-style, while Miss G. Rix's skill in diving should give her an sxcellent chance. The celebrations in connection with the Coronation of the late King George V. in 1911 suggested the holding of the first recorded British Empire Games. A large and representative committee, with the Earl of Plymouth as chairman, arranged at the Crystal Palace grounds a series of entertainments and exhibitions relating to the progress and development of the Empire and known as the "Festival of Empire." One of the features of the programme was an interEmpire sports meeting and invitations were sent to Australia, Canada and South Africa to compete with the achletes of Great Britain to decide the Empire championship. Canadian Team's Success

The programme consisted of track and field athletics, boxing, swimming and wrestling events. A silver cup, the gift of the Earl of Lonsdale, was won by the Canadian team, which registered the best performances in the various competitions.

No further development toook place until 1928, when teams from the widelyscattered countries of the British Empire were asembled in Amsterdam for the celebration of the ninth Olympiad. The splendid friendliness between the Empire athletes shown at that meeting strengthened the feeling that Empire Games, in which amateur athletes from the Dominions and colonies should compete in the spirit of true sportsmanship, should be held.

In view of Canada's victory in the festival of 1911, it was appropriate that it should have been mainly through the initiative of a Canadian* Mr. M. M. Robinson, manager of the track and field section of the Canadian Olympic tea in, that the Empire Games proposals took definite shape and were revived in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1930. Support was forthcoming i'rom Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with the result that strong teams were sent to Canada. Representatives also came from Australia, Bermuda, British Guiana, Newfoundland, New Zealand and South Africa. Four-yearly Meetings

The success of the meeting resulted in a decision to hold similar gatherings every four years. In 1934 the Games were allotted to England, the fixture drawing competitors from all parts of the Empire and proving an outstanding success. The complete programmo for the Games is as follows:—

To-day.—Afternoon: Grand opening ceremony, track and field athletes.

Evening: Swimming. Monday, February 7.—Evening: Boxing and wrestling. Tuesday, February B.—Evening: Cycling. Wednesday, February 9.—Afternoon: Rowing, diving. Evening: Swimming. Thursday, February 10. —Afternoon: Track and field athletics. Evening: Boxing and wrestling. Friday, February 11. —Evening: Swimming. Saturday, February 12.—Afternoon: Track and field athletics. Evening: Cycling QUEENSLAND VISIT NEW ZEALAND SWIMMERS DOMINION EDUCATIONAL TOUR (Received February 4, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 4 The Queensland Amateur Swimming Association has invited P. Hanan, N. Crump and Miss Mona Levdon, the New Zealand swimmers, to make a tour of Queensland following the Dominion team's visit to Dubbo on February 14. Miss Leydon and Hanan have accepted and Crump will accept if he is able to obtain the necessary leave from New Zealand. Miss Leydon will return to New Zealand on February 22. With Miss Gwen Rix and Mis?. Joyce McDonald, she has accepted tho invitation of the New Zealand Swimming Association to make an educational tour of the Dominion upon their return.