Swimming Notes

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7961, 18 November 1911, Page 17

Swimming Notes

'PILE 1911-12 swimming season, the open--1 iug of which has boon set down for this nltf-rnoon, dms nor, at tho moment, pronii.-e to be anything in the nature of a record. As far as clubs and club mem- ’ bers are concerned, the sport will undoubtedly be on a better basis than it lias ever been before, but the tardiness with which swimming weather is approaching foreshadows a late commencement, and consequently a short season. So far there has been an entire absence of summer conditions, the baths still present an almost deserted appearance, and it is only tho more enthusiastic section of the swimming community that have commenced operations. "While tho season does last, however, it will probably be marked by unusual activity', for the larger clubs have comprehensive programmes to dispose of, quite apart from carnivals and centre competitions. Tho water polo competition, which, year by year, has been growing in importance and popularity, will attract more teams than ever before, and tho junior grade contest, inaugurated last year, should give a great impetus to the game among tho youngsters. It will be seen therefore that though no records are likely to be established, the coming season should prove another step in the general advance of swnhming in Wellington. "We, in Wellington, have reached that stago when the question of bathing facilities must come in for some attention, when tho adequacy of the present provision for the teaching and promotion of swimming must be gone into, and when the xu’ovision of programmes to meet future development must be considered. As compared with other places Wellington has little to complain about at the present time. Considered purely as a swimming pool tho To Aro Baths are easily 'tho best iu New Zealand, and among the first in Australasia. Tho convenience of swimmers in the matter of appointments might, perhaps, have been better met, but it must bo remembered that T© Aro Baths are yet in an unfinished condition, and there is every that when tho last touches have been put on they will meet all requirements. But ono bath, however good it may bo, cannot meet fcbe requirements of a city tho size of Wellington. And Wellington at tho present time is practically a ono bath city. Thorndon baths certainly still exist, and from an exterior view there is little fault to be found with them. They present quite an imposing appearance as bath architecture goes, but theso who use them (and they are a rapidly decreasing number) have strange and unpleasant stories to tell regarding tho depth of tho water, tho condition of tho bottom, and tho noissesome odour which often accompany a swim at this particular spot.

Since the Harbour Board commenced reclaiming operations ift the vicinity it has been recognised that Thorndon Baths were doomed, and since that timo they have been left out of consideration in the computation of Wellington's swimming places. At the present time it is almost impossible to swim there at low tide and even when high water lifts on© a few feet further from tho unwholesome bottom, the experience is not altogether pleasant. So far nothing has been said regarding tho city's intentions with regard to theso baths, but they cannot be permitted to remain much longer. They are growing older and more disagreeable as timo passes, and any repairs undertaken would only prolong the agony. A sum of £750 has been placed on next year’s estimates by the Wellington City Council .for tho building of a bath at Nairn street, and though these will bo small they will have their effect: in a locality where the influence of tho other two baths was not greatly felt, and tho formation of more swimming clubs should bo tho result. So far as tho Te Aro Baths are concerned it would not appear to be altogether wiiSe to ask for further improvements this year, especially in view of the fact that in devising some means of making them pay the City Council has had the question of an increased price for admission under consideration. A good swimming pool devoid of appointments is of far more practical value than a noor pool with grand auxiliaries, and there is therefore no great need for haste. SPLASHES Natatorial enthusiasts and sportsmen generally will bo pleased to learn that the fin© collection of medals, etc., won by tho Tato Barney Kieran, and ’which a short time back was purchased by tho State and placed oi the N.S.S. Sobraon, havo now been removed to the Technological Museum (says a Sydney paper). Tho transfer from th© training ship was, of course, necessary on account of the altered conditions, aad it is pleasing to not© that th© collection, together with the Kieran Memorial Tablet (a duplicate of the Kieran Shield, in competition among the different States), will bo preserved in the museum. Th© Department of Public Instruction has notified tho local association, which made inquiries on the subject, that a notification will appear in tho press when a mow of the collection will b© open to th© general public. Speaking of English and Continental swimmers on his return to Sydney, Harold Hardwick said; "I found all the English and Continental swimmers very keen on th© Olympic Games to bo held next year at Stockholm, and they all expect an Australian team to compete. Wo should win the free stylo events, but w© aro a little behind in tho breast stroke and back swimmers. England is sending thirty-six swimmers to the Olympic Games, "Swimming is booming in England,” says Hardwick. "There are 800 clubs there. Loudon is full of them, and there arc scores of ladies' clubs. Several ladies will be included in the team for the Olympic Games. I saw Vera Neva win the 15 miles race through London. She worked the trudgeon right through, and is only a medium-sized girl. W. Haynes won tho 220 yards championship of Scotland recently in 2rain 33 l-Ssec, and ot the same meeting G. S. Dockrell, th© Irish champion, gave an i exhibition swim over tho same distance iu 2min 32 2-ssec, Dockrell recently did 53 3-ssec for tho hundred, but in the National Furlong event his form was very disappointing, and he was easily beaten by Hardwick and Hatfield, the winner doing 2min 33 3-ssec, and the young Englishman 2miu 35 l-ssec, whilst Dockrell could only do 2min 45 4-ssec. The form of the Irishman was inconsistent. A number of American swimmers aro prominent this season, and the recordbreaking performances of Nerich and Reilly iu tho half-mile and mflo were followed recently by R. M. Ritter beat-

THE CURRENT SEASON’S OUTLOOK

BY “CRAWL.”

ing DauieE’ figures over 110yds laps ijy 1 3-ssoc, doing smiu 52 3-Ssec for the distance, Daniels Ims loiter figures, viz., smin 31 2-osec, iu a 25 yards La Hi, but Ritter’s performance was put up over exactly tho same course as Daniels’ slower figures.

On llie same evening, but at places widely removed, two English swimmers recently made successful attempts on the world’s reiord held by H. Meyboom over ■lO9 metres by tho back-fitroUo method. The figures are Gmin 4Gsec; but at Bradford, iu 20yds laps, W. Call did the distance ill (imin 39 3-ssec; and at Selby F. A. Unwin put up even better figures in a 23yds bath, doing 6min 22seo. Both swimmers have held the English 150yds back-stroke champion.shix>. Call winning in 1903, 1901, and 1905, and Unwin in 1900, 1907, 1908, and J 909.

Mr IV. C. Collier, who, as announced last week, has handed iu his resignation as secretary of the 'Wellington Centre of the Eoyal Life-Saving Society, has consented to withhold same for a few weeks —this in response to a request from tho chairman of the centre.

Up to tho time of writing entries for the events set down for decision at today’s opening of tho season had not commenced to come in very freely, and there is every probability that tho fields will be small. There will be a 100yds and a 50yds senior handicap and a 50yds event for the juniors.

With regard to tho junior water polo competition it is probable that a shield will bo provided for tho winning team this season. It will be won and hold under tho same rules as those governing tho senior banner. ' There seems to be a great dearth of senior members in the Y.M.C.A. Club, and owing to tho unsatisfactory state of its finances it applied to tho centre at its last meeting for the remission of half the affiliation fee. This was granted. As far as juniors are concerned the club is in a better position. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Amateur _ Swimming Association (Christchurch) will bo held on the 23rd inst. Tho question of reciprocity between Australia and iNew Zealand will bo discussed.

Thus “1.-candcr” in tho London "Sportsman” : With the decision of the 220yds what may be described as the straightway individual championships were completed. Four events remain for decision, but with these confined to team swimming, diving, and polo they do not affect tho results. The events to which I allude are the 100, 220, 440, 500, halfmile, mile, and long-distance—seven in all. In these tho men make their way to the winning post in any stylo, they choose, there being no restriction as to what strokes they shall use. Of these Australasia has taken four by the aid of Mr H. Hardwick (3) and Mr M. E. Champion, and England three-through.Air--H. Taylor. Wo have therefore, fared much better than last year, when Mr Beaurepaire won six for Australia and Mr Battersby one for England. Mr Hardwick swam magnificently in the three races in which ho started, and, like his brilliant predecessor from Australia, did not suffer a defeat; but excellent as were his performances his form was not so fine as was shown here by Mr Beaurepaire. Hero is a little table that helps ,my. argument and gives at a glance the times the two colonials occupied in the three events that they each ‘won: 1 ,

Wc must not take the 440yds’ times too seriously, because that event is decided in salt water, and sometimes under tidal conditions, but the 220y<is, where the opposition was excellent and both were pressed, proves a deal. Then again Mr Beaurepairo also won three other championships, thereby proving himself a better aU-round swimmer. Take them at their best, Mr Hardwick would perhaps be superior to Mr beaurepairo over 100 yards, but above that distance tho latter appears to be the better man.. ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION TO PALESTINE SOME montlis ago* information filtered over the cables Tvitb respect to the rumours regarding the archaeological expedition to Palestine under charge of Captain Parker. After Captain Parker's departure from Jerusalem, at the end of the lato excavating season, stories of th© most sensational description appeared in tho press of Europe. It was declared that tho expedition had pillaged the Mosque of Omar, had found some of tho most valuable treasures in Israelitish history, and had removed these to England. Th© improbability, not to say the impossibility, of these stories was carefully explained by some who must be regarded as well-informed persons, and at the same time it was pointed out tliat inasmuch as tho expedition would return in th© autumn, the accusations were practically disproved. Tho outcry, however, was so strong that tho'Government at Constantinople found it necessary to institute a most searching examination. As a result of all this, it became apparent that Captain Parker’s expedition had loyally adhered to its arrangement with th© Government at Stamboul, and that the charges made against him were purely sensational. Tho new expedition departed early last month from England,* to tako up the work where it was left off in the spring. The work will bo resumed among the intricate labyrinths of underground passages iu Mount Ophel, which is supposed to be the original site of Mount Zion, but which to-day is tho vegetable garden of the city. It is hoped that even more valuable archaeological results will occur tlian on the occasion of the previous expedition; and if the lato reports did nothing else, they will at least have succeeded in creating considerable curiosity as to tho finds which may be made in the future. "Did you know that they can make shoes out of all kinds of skins?” "How about banana skins?” "They make slippers out of them.” "Who planned the act that knocked the pact?” 'They asked each man and stripling; Along the track a voice came back, ""Twas little Ruddy Kipling!”

Boaorepairo. Hardwick. 1910. 1911. m. s. m. s. 100 yards . 59 4-5 .... 58 3-5 220 j-artls . 2 30 .. 2 33 3-5 440 yards . 5 38 3-5 .... .. 5 40 2-5