SWIMMING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1507, 17 January 1901, Page 6

SWIMMING.

« SOCIAL ” TO MR CHAM FI ON.

The combined swimming clubs of Wellington gave a “social” on the Bth in honour ox Mr M. E. Champion, who recently won all the Hew Zealand championships five in number, at- the Chxist_ church Swimming Festival. These races included! the 100, 220, 440, 880yds and one mile race, Champion beating standards in each event, and putting up a record for 100 yards, viz.., 66 l-ssec. Dr Chappie presided, being supported by Messrs T. Shields (Wellington Swimming Club), T. Gray (Thomdon Swimming Club) and Churchward! ‘ (of the Swifts). The attendance , was yery iarge and enthusiastic, every swimmer of note -andL prominent supporter of swimming in the city L. being j , present. ;. Mr Champion’s health was proposed by Dr Chappie. The toast was accorded musical honours. Mr Champion, who is hut nineteen years of age, responded with becoming modes-j ty. He referred to his treatment in the* South, whither he had gone under the auspices of the Wellington-.Centre, as excellent. A number of toasts were duly honoured during the evening, and the proceedings were • Brightened! by some capital singing.. Among those who con-, tributed were Messrs Gray, McLeod, Stone, Greenwood, Davenport and Langford. Mr Milburn presided at the piano. Mr Champion, who has sprung at a bound into the front ranis among local swimmers, is a- New 1 Zealander, although he has spent the major portion of his life in far away Norfolk Island, where in his boyhood he earned! distinction among a people who are looked upon as among tne world’’ s finest and most darino- swimmers. He. was.born, it appears, at St. Hellier’s, Auckland, but he left when three months old, accompanying iiis parents to Norfolk Island. He remained there till he reached his sixteenth vear, when he returned to the land of "his birth. ‘ He intends making Wellington his home, and., will probably be sent over to Australia as our representative to compete in the championship meetings to he held this year. The people in the South consider.. Mr Champion’s performances wonderful, and the wonder is increased when it is stated that in long distances he was never extended, finishing perfectly fresh in each instance.