SWIMMING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 45, 30 March 1914, Page 3

SWIMMING.

The Christchurch club, whose headquarters are at the Tepid Baths, has •decided not to hold a carnival this year. As this club is not, or rather should not, be in a bad positfon financially, the decision of its committee is

lard to understand. Judging by the success of the various carnivals held during the year, the city club has missed a golden opportunity of adding to its funds. An annual carnival serves not only as an advertisement to the particular club, but is the means of stimulating the enthusiasm and loyalty of its members. The attitude ■of the executive of the Christchurch •clubvhas therefore been adversely criticised, and that body can hardly blame anyone but itself if the rank and file of the club become infected with its apparent " save itself the trouble " spirit. During Easter week the recently constructed Tepid Baths at Dunedin will be formally opened. At the invitation of the Otago Centre a largo number of Christchurch swimmers will journey to the southern city to attend the function. As matters natatorial have been at a standstill in Dunedin for many years now, the exposition in the art which the Christchurch men will give is sure to give the sport in that city a-very necessary fillip. Swimmers throughout'the world will - be amazed to learn of the defeat of the famous Duke Kahanamouku by a comparatively unknown swimmer, E. R. Small, of San Francisco. It was in a 50 yards race at a carnival held at Honolulu that the surprising incident occlirred. The winner incidentally equalled Alick Wickham's world's *ecord for the distance—viz., 23 3-ssec. Duke is not, however, by any means a bac-k number, as on the same afternoon . he won a 100 yds race in 54 4-ssec, the 440 yds in srnin 46 2-ssee, the 220 yds in 2min 35 l-ssec, and, in addition," com> peted in various other "events, being mainly, responsible for his team's success in the 400 yards relay event. They evidently produce great swimmers on the islands,, judging by the reports of this particular carnival. The time of the winner of the 100 yds jiovice event was 62 2-ssec, while the 50yds boyfc' race (under fifteen) was won in 22 2-ssec! A Miss Slacker finished the 50 yards event in 31sec. This young lady is claimed to be in no way inferior to Fanny Durack, and as I understand arrangements are being made for these two champions to meet, next season, the result is bound to b-3 interesting, MERMAN.