“STAR” FISH-MEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8295, 5 December 1912, Page 1

“STAR” FISH-MEN

SYDNEY SWIMMERS COME TO SHOW NEW ZEALANDERS SOME POINTS. Messrs “Tod” Solomans, H. M. Hay, and 8. BidoiugUm, wiuo are visiting New Zealand at tiie invitations of the Wellington and Canterbury Centres ol tne New Zealand Swimming Association, arrived iu Wellington by tne Mauuganui yesterday. Solomans, who was ia Wellington last year and whoso ability is well known to Wellington swimmers, is one of the front rank sprint swimmers of Australia. For a brief period he held the world’s record lor 50yds, a distinction subsequently earned by the great South Sea Island swimmer. Alec. Wickham, iu 1011 Solomans touched first in the 100yds premiership of Australasia, iu front of Heaiy and Hardwick, with the watches showing 58 l-ssec. In the IDOyds championship of New South Wales last year, Solomans was placed fifth in his heat, which was won by Hcaly in (30 l-ssec, Wickham, Boardman. and T. Jones filling the intervening places. Solomans is particularly good at leaving the mark, and his plunging when last here was quite a revelation to local swimmers. A big man. Solomans is nevertheless a good diver, and is a decidedly handy man with a polo ball. Hay, who filled fifth place in his heat in the last New South Wales sprint premiership, is one who may jump into championship limelight at any time. He is described as a firstclass handicap man, capable of picking up a big field in a truly surprising manner. Biddington, primarily a diver, has plenty of pace, and is an all-round useful man. Diving from a 60ft platform, taking off from his hands, is one of his best achievements, while ho also excels in trick diving of all descriptions from all heights. Mr A. M. Tartakover, who accompanies tho team, is a brother of the better-known T. B. Tartakover, one time of Sydney and now of tho Otter S.C. (London). Tho team is a good all-round combination, capable of teaching the locals points in all departments of natation.

A civic reception was tendered’ to the visitors by his Worship the Mayor (Mr D. McLaren) in the concert chamber of tho Town Hall yesterday afternoon, there being a good gathering of swimmers and their friends. Mir McLaren said it gave him pleasure to accord the visitors a very hearty welcome. , Perhaps they might, be able fio give him some hints with respect to the methods pursued in the control of .mixed bathing m Sydney. Some of the citizens wore ,perturbed because’ the, council had passed a by-law which they thought .would- restrict the freedom of bathers. If he thought that would he the effect ho would be opposed to the ’by-law. At his call throo cheers were given- for the Visitors. ’■ ■The Hon.; John Bigg, M.L;G;.,- and. Mr 3 . P. Atkina (chairman of tho’local centre) also welcomed the, visitors, who expressed their thanks and appreciation of tho ’warmth iof tho ■ welcome tendered them.

The visitors will appear at a carnival under the auspices of the Wellington Centro at Te Aro Baths on Saturday next. Generally, the entries that have been received are large, and in the teams’ 200yds relay race the following have been chosen: G-P.O. Club: C. Mathieson, L. Forgio, T. Duffy, and F. Wilton. Worser Bay: H. C. W. Blick, L. Carmichael, H, Silver, and P. Wilton. Thorndon Club; Boberts, Nelson, Brice, and McNah. ,

The Old Boys’ Club will enter three teams as follow :—No. I—Levy, Capper, Patterson, and Hopkirk; No. 3—Wise, Freeth, Turnbull, and Newton; No. 3 Newman, Eobieson, Smith, and Higgle. Wellington Club: Crowther, O'Neill, McCarlie, and Murrell. On Sunday next the visitors will be the guests of the Lyall Bay Surf Club at LyaU Bay, and on Monday they will leave for Napier, returning to Wellington on the following Saturday. On Monday (December XCth) they will probably go to Blenheim, returning to Wellington for a carnival on Saturday, December 21st, On the same evening they will leave for. Christchurch, returning after the New Year.