Public Gives Poor Support to Swimming

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 548, 28 December 1928, Page 7

Public Gives Poor Support to Swimming

Sport Needs Jolt AUCKLANDERS’ FORM Swimming needs a jolt to make it a live factor in public interest in Auckland. And not in Auckland alone, but throughout New Zealand. Swimming’ centres everywhere have been lamenting the slackness of public interest. One Auckland official went so far as to say that “swimming, in its present state, cannot afford to lose one friend o.r one competitor.” He was It is hard to define just why the public does not give its support more liberally Six major carnivals have been held in Auckland so far this season. In the better class events, the racing has been interesting. But not one carnival has seen better than a fair attendance. Another bad feature has been the comparatively small number of entrants actually in action. Scratchings can be expected to a reasonable degree, but one or two of the carnivals have fallen decidedly flat through poor fields. The handicapping, too, has not been accurate. But wholesale censure cannot bo lodged here. The season is finding its feet after a struggle, and the handicappers, always faced with a difficult task, have had to work mostly on last year’s performances. The handicaps have shown an improvement in the last two or three carnivals. And so, out of a tangle of lackinterest and indifferent control, the one pleasing feature is the enthusiasm of swimmers who have done their bit for Auckland for several seasons past, and the appearance of one or two promising competitors. Auckland swimming is far from dead, as far as quality goes. And these negotiations for visits from overseas swimmers? Crabbe, Weismuller, Takaishi, Charlton and Borg? As little success has attended the efforts of the New Zealanders as has gone to the Australians, who have not yet recovered from their dismay over Charlton’s retirement. The last that has been heard of these negotiations, more especially from Auckland’s point of view, is not official. There have been rumours of an attempt to bring the young Sydney swimmer, George St. Heaps, across to Auckland. He lias broken two records this season but it is doubtful if he could spare the time to come to New Zealand. Auckland's strength is formidable and good representation is assured at the Dominion championships in Wellington in February. R. H. Sellars, of Hunterville. for instance, has shown impressive turns of speed in his few appearances. J.

Farrell (Waitemata), last year’s Auckland champion, should shortly reach his best form, and a newcomer who has done well, D. Plank, of Mount Eden, has shown good form over distances up to 22'0yds. The two Waitemata veterans, Jack Enwright and Viv Cunnold, have had fair succes through sheer consistency, but undoubtedly the swimmer who has had the best success to date is Mount Edener Reg de Loree. He has captured several races and has been one of the most enthusiastic swimmers. His handicap is being decreased. He Loree is no stylist it is true. Energy is his greatest asset. Other men swimmers who are handy over the sprints are A. W. Raper S. T. Brooking H. E. Keane, R. Porteous, R. Skinner. J. Perrin, R. Pidgeon, J. Farnall and W. Ramsay. Several of these are just emerging from novice swimming. Two women swimmers stand out from a good array. They are Ena Stockley, of Grammar, and Horis Magee, of Parnell. Miss Mage*- i had most success so far and is proving all the time. Miss Stocklcy should reach her best form with more competition. Miss M. Smith, of Waitemata, is one of the most promising girl swimmers, and Peggy Robertson, of Parnell, is also developing her style. Other consistent handicap women swimmers are M. Farquhar (Waitemata), H. Grant (Grammar), Edna Champion (Mount Eden), and B. Hanlon (Waitemata). Gordon Bridson, distance champion, apparently has no serious rival over his favourite distances, although he has been in action in only one 220yds ; event. j The Dominion breaststroke champion, N. K. Sylow, of Ponsonby, has not competed so far, and Tom Lowe, of Devonport, has been scratch man in most of the events. J. Ansell, W. Foster and A. Clarke are other good breaststroke performers and a promising girl with a neat style is Jean Thomson, of Parnell.