SWIMMING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19134, 31 March 1924, Page 9

SWIMMING.

OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIPS. BAILEY WINS THE HALF-MILE. EXHIBITION BY CARL ATKINSON. The Otago Centro’s N.Z.A.S.A. swimming .and diving championships, which were commeneed in the Municipal Baths on Thursday night, were brought to a conclusion on Saturday evening, the attendance on this occasion being considerably belter than on Thursday. * Mr 11. 11. Henderson (president of the Otago brand) of the Royal Saying Society), in presenting (he society's Challenge Cup to the Kiwi Club, the winners of the life-saving competition, said that the society was anxious to encourage life-saving as a branch of swimming, and it was certainly tho more important of the two accomplishments. Hr H. Halliday accepted the cup on be-

half of tho Kiwi Club. Tho programme was an even more extensive one than on tho previous night, and if the majority of tho swimmers there learnt sw-imrning in the Municipal Baths then there need bo little doubt as to the success of the baths from a public point of view, not from a financial. The young swimmers showed groat promise, and a pleasing feature was tho large number of girls who had gained a very nigh standard of proficiency in the art. Undoubtedly the most attractive event was the exhibition of the various swimming strokes by Carlyle Atkinson, the Christchurch swimmer, who holds several New Zealand championships. He possesses a remarkable freedom in the water, and, unlike many fast swimmers, has a very even motion. ... . IV. Keesing retained his title of champion diver of Otago, and his exhibition certainly a very creditable one. The diving events wore also a very popular feature, and at tho conclusion of the competition dives an exhibition series was given. Those perhaps were appreciated more than the others, for the competitors excelled themselves in endeavouring to accomplish the

moat grotesque dive possible. The graceful swallow dive, however, seemed to find most favour. Walker, the New Zealand champion, was not up to his usual form, hut nevertheless was not many points behind Kec-sing. Tho final and most important race of the evening was the 880 Yards Otago Championship, which was won by H. N. Bailey in 15mm 14sec. There were eight starters, and the distance covered was a little over 26 lengths. Watson, Douglas, and Dawson assumed the lead at the end of the first three laps, Watson being in front, hut shortly after Bailey began to come up and overtook the second and third men, leaving Watson in front. Wilson, the last man. showed signs of tiring, and retired when

there were still 19 lengths to go. By this time Bailey had gained a load of two yards over Watson, and seemed to increase Ins distance at every lap. With eight lengths still to go. Dawson and Gascoigne pulled out and Bailev had increased his lead by about five yards. At this stage Fogg, who had held a position in the rear, forged ahead of the others and gained second place, a position he maintained until the end of tho race, which Bailey won by a length. In the ICO Yards Otago Championship on Thursday night. P. Z. Harris gained second place, not third. The following are the results (the actual times only are given): 50 YARDS SCHOOLBOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP. First heat: D. Gilroy (Arthur Street) 1. D. Olds (Normal) 2. Time 39sec. Second heat; I. Buchanan (George Street) 1, Simplon (Albany Street) 2. Time, 39sec. Final.

I. Buchanan ... 1 D. Gilroy ' 2 D. Olds 3 Time. 59 l-ssec. L. Olds was interfered with in tho first heat of this race, and was allowed to swim in the final but was not placed. The race was well contested, 33 1-3 YARDS DASH INTER CLUB ■ HANDICAP. First heat: F. Wilkin, Isec, 1; H. Bates, 6sec, 2. Time, 17 3-ssec. Second heat: W. Cunningham, Isec, 1; S. Wilson, 2sec, and A. Knights, ssec. 2. Time, lßsoc. Third heat: 11. Pollock, sseo, 1: J. Gascoigne, Isec, 2. Time, 20 l-ssec. Final. H. Pollock. ssec ...- 1 H. Bates, 6sec 2 Time, 21 l-ssec. Wilkin won the first heat in better time than ho had oyer made.

while Atkinson completed the distance in 17sec. The third heat was the best, and Pollock, who has developed his crawl stroke considerably during the past few weeks, won comfortablv. Ho repeated bis performance with a little more difficulty in the final, the competitors finishing almost in a line. 25 YARDS SCHOOLGIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP. M. Simms (High Street) 1 O.' Wallace (Albany Street) ... 2 V. Knights (Moray Place) ... 3 Time, 17 4-ssec. 220 YARDS OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIP. 11. N. Bailey 1 E. J. Dawson 2 C. Crawshaw 3 Time. 2min 54see. Bailey won comfort,ably, and thus gainer! his third Otaco championship. Dawson made a £ood fight, but finished three yards behind the winner,' though he was well ahead of tho remaining swimmers. 100 YARDS BREASTSTROKE HANDICAP. First heat: C. Lewis, scr, 1; F. Paape, 13sec 2; IT. Pollock, lOsec, 3. Time, 79 l-ssec. Second heat: J. L. MTndoe, lOsec, 1; Riddell, ssec, 2; C. Atkinson, scr, 3 Time, 88 2-ssec. Final. .T. L. MTndoe 1 C. Lmtis 2 C. Atkinson 3 Time, 87 3-ssec. Lewis, the previous Otago champion, just managed to overtake Paape at tho finish of the first heat. MTndoe swam better than usual in the

second heat, covering the distance in 88 2-ssec, and finishing well ahead of Riddell, who was closely followed by Atkinson. MTmlne improved his time by 4:sth of a second in the final, and just won from Lewis, with Atkinson third. 150 YARDS SCHOOLBOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP, D. Olds (Normal) ✓ 1 D. Gilroy (Arthur Street) ... 2 B. Wilson (0.8.H.5.) 3 Time, 2min 26 4-ssec. This race was to have been swum in heats, but on account of the largo numbe.r of scratchings the arrangement was altered. Olds won by about 15 yards, hut there was a good race for second place. 100 YARDS LADTK«’ BREASTSTROKE CHAMPIONSHIP. M iss V. Scot ten 1 Miss K. Miller 2 Miss 0. Benfcll ... ... 3 Time, Imin 36scc. Miss Scotten won this rao» easily. OTAGO DIVING CHAMPIONSHIP.

W. Keesing (present holder) ... 1 H. Walker ...' 2 R. Calder 3 LONG PLUNGE. C. Atkinson, 61ft 6in 1 J. L. MTndoe 2 880 YARDS OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIP. H. N. Bailey 1 S. Eogg 2 D. Watson 3 Time, 15min 14sec.