SWIMMING SCRAPS.

NZ Truth, Issue 509, 20 March 1915, Page 12

SWIMMING SCRAPS.

; ,"<!*>' v S?irena" at Dunedin.) ".Trutli'B" Wellington . trudge takes me to book for passing the remark that the "Dook" is m the profesh. I didn't say it lightly, but rather wilfully. However, jf I had said "cash amateur" it would have met the "pook's" susceptibilities more than half-way. Of course my Wellington brother saw the big brown boy for the first tlm<* and collapsed into hero worphip on the spot. Not being argumentative, I beg leave to ask. one query : # •Wot's the "Dook" work, anyway? The Duke tame to • God-zone, but previous to coming had to have every'thing'guaranteed, including the splosh. H«-rc- he merely gave exhibitions, so it's niftra bunkum yapping over records and feats. Oood luck to Mr. Kahanamoku; he knows his own biz. very well: and so doe.« little (taorgo Ounha. Anyone st-flng them llnish so neatly would not feel any doubts on the point. The "Dook" was on a pleasure trip.

and so it has turned out. His exhibitions were of great utility to all New Zealand's swimmers, but they had not much to learn from his breast stroke. He's obviously not a breast stroker, at least from what we saw, but his sample of speed and the back methods are out on their own. ( I notice that Kahanamoku attracted a' considerable crowd m Auckland, and that some fine exhibitions were put up by Miss Farquhar and Mr. Welson, both IC.Z. champs.- Thq "Dook" achieved nothing .sensational, however, despite the fact that the water was more enticing and natural than at Wellington. • Wellington needs reformation m its baths, from all I hear, so that's a mat-, ter that scribes m tho windy city might exert themselves over. Chrlstchurcb is generally reckoned the homo of swimming, and though it might be better, Dunedln is a good second. In both go-ahead centres Rwlmjming facilities all the year round are favorably afforded. , At the Municipal Baths, Dunedin, Professor Olds is always m attendance to break m and coach the aspirants of both sexes. Last year, m the surf. I witnessed a fine long distance feat by tho Professor at the Ocean Beach. He acquitted himself very ably m a choppy sen. Mr. Olds has seen the world and its seas and consequently Is unlike many insular opponents amr gulliblo gasbags, when the graceful art is under display or discussion. Every swimmer one sees now is emulating th»» "Dook." One young lady m Duncrlin bus his back strokes off to a nicety, only she resembles a hooked frog so very much by her movements. Kven m Oamaru tin•Dook's" strokes have, taken on, and the sec. of t ho ladles' swimming club is busily engaged wiving tlu- right turn or twist to every movement. The "Dook" came and mw and conquered, anil that was a lino feat m, itself for a world* chump, and a "cash amateur 1 ".