EMPIRE GAMES

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1934, Page 5

EMPIRE GAMES

IMPRESSIVE PARADE HELD 16 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED NEW ZEALANDER IN PLACE BRAINSBY PERFORMS WELL AUSTRALIANS NOT IN FORM By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 6.30 p.m. London, Aug. 4. Five hundred men and women athletes representing 16 Empire countries paraded at the White City this afternoon. Led by their own national emblems and colours and headed by the Guards’ Band, they marched round the track at the opening of the second Empire games. Canada, as the first host in 1930, led the procession and the other countries followed in alphabetical order. J. E. Lovelock carried the New Zealand flag, leading a stalwart little company in black blazers, bearing the silver fern leaf on the breast. A crowd of 50,000 warmly welcomed the competitors, who were of all ages, from girl swimmers, some of whom were in their early teens, to grey-haired bowlers. " R. Howland, captain of England’s athletes, took the oath on behalf of the competitors: “We, loyal subjects of the King Emperor, will participate in the games in a spirit of true sportsmanship for the honour of the Empire and the glory of sport.” The Guards’ Band trumpeters sounded

a fanfare, and the Union Jack was hoisted on the flagstaff. Three pigeons, ' one each red, white and blue, were re-

leased, after which 50,000 racing pigeons ♦ valued at £200,000, emblematic of doves, rose from baskets round the track to take a r ■ essage of peace to various homes throughout the country. Lord Lonsdale read the Prince of Wales’ reply to the loyal _ message the athletes sent him after their visit to St. James’ Palace, and a message from the King wishing success to the games. Lord Ldhsdale then introduced Sir George Truscott, Deputy-Lord Mayor of London, who declared the games open. SPRINTERS HANDICAPPED. The Australian sprinters were handicapped owing to lack of recent racing. Dempsey and Horsfall were eliminated in their heats of the 100 yards, but Yates entered the final, in which he was left at the start and was unable to make up the lost ground. In the heats of the quarter-mile the New Zealander Broadway and the Australians Reilly and Lander were eliminated. Most O- the Australian swimmers were below their best form as a result of lack of proper training. A brilliant finish enabled Miss Claire Dennis , to lower the British breast-stroke record by 1 4-ss. Noel Ryan in the 1500 yards race made a plucky effort, but Pirie’s form was superior. As the time will be insufficient for Ryan to reach the top of his trim before the final, it can hardly be expected he will turn the tables on the Canadian. Pirie’s time was 10 seconds better than when Ryan won in the race in 1930. Results of the finals of the athletic ■ events are:— 100 yards: A. W. Sweeney (England) 1, N. W. Theunissen (South Africa) 2, I. C. Young (Scotland) 3; time, 10s. Sweeney won his heat in 9 9-10 s, equalling the British record. 440 yards hurdles: F. A. R. Hunter (Scotland) 1, C. P. Reilly (Australia) 2; won by three yards; time 55 l-ss. Three miles: W. J. Beavers (England) 1,.C. K. Allen (England) 2, J. A. Burns (England) 3; time, 14m. 32 3-ss. Hop, step and jump: Metcalfe (Australia) 50ft 3%in (a British record) 1, N. Richardson (Canada) 48ft o%in 2, H. K. Brainsby (New Zealand) 47ft ll%in 3. Discus throw: H. Hart (South Africa), 136 ft Sin, 1; D. R. Bell (England), 132 ft Un, 2; B. L. Prendegast (Jamaica), 132 ft, 3. Women’s relay, 660 yards: Canada (Misses Palmer, White, Meagher and Deamley) 1, England (Misses Hiscock, Walker, Halstead and Johnson) 2; time, Im. 14 2-ss. (a British record). Swimming' results are:— 1500 yards 1 free style:—First heat: R. Pirie (Canada) J, Ryan (Australia) 2; time, 18m. 45 2-ss. 200 yards breast-stroke: —Second heat: N. Hamilton (Scotland) 1, Higginson (Australia) 2; time, 2m. 44 2-ss. The New Zealander Smith did not qualify in the first heat. Women’s 200 yards breast-stroke:—Sec-ond heat: Miss Claire Dennis (Australia) 1, Miss W. Haslam (Canada) 2; time, 2m. 52 l-ss. (a British record). Women’s high diving:—Final: Miss E, MacCready (England), 30.74, 1; Miss Thompson (Australia), 27.64, 2; Miss C. Cousins (England), 27.36. 3. Miss L. Adams, the 13-year-old Canadian, was fourth with 27.20. The Australian, Miss Clark, did not qualify for the final of the 100 yards back-stroke.

PROTESTS FROM IRELAND ENTRY OF TEAM REFUSED Rec. 6.30 p.m. London, Aug. 4. The Irish Amateur Swimming Association protests against the Empire Games Council’s “absurdly illogical and entirely unsustainable” refusal to accept the entry of Irish swimmers because the Free State and Ulster are different political divisions and it therefore could not consistently accept an entry, as it must keep to the political style and title of the various territories. The association declares there has been a campaign to discourage Irish entries. “The council accepted an Irish team from the Irish Bowling Association, while allIreland jurisdiction prevails in Rugby, golf, hockey and cricket,” the association added.