SWIMMING.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 27, 6 March 1920, Page 15

SWIMMING.

N.Z. Swimming Championship Meeting. A word in passing may not be amisß in connection with this gala. From a, natatorial point of view, the gathering was an excellent one, and well deserved the public support it received. The best talent available in the Dominion was present, and on such an occasion nothing should be left to chance. Th§ controlling authorities,, however, "seemed, to be quite new at management,

Judging by the number of officials, who appeared to be tumbling over one another looking for work, many of them would have been more useful watching the events without being connected with the control. , Moreover, some of them holding responsible official positions "Were more interested in the contests than in their duties. Consequently serious bungling occurred, which marred some" events, and lowered the standard of management in the eyes of the visitors. This is all the more regrettable because it was a championship meeting, when both visitors and public expect a carnival to be run on fine business-like lines. Auckland is not a country village where such happenings are overlooked, but a sporting centre whose prestige in every branch of sport should be jealously safeguarded by those responsible for control. Several good levelled headed men were only reqiiired to stage manage the function, and had that idea been adopted by the executive officers, the carnival would have been voted a huge success, both from an expert and managerial point of view. • • F. E. le Beaurepaire and Norman Ross. ', The principal feature of Norman Ross' tour of Australia was the defeat of the American champion by the Victorian swimmer, F. E. le Beaurepaire. •The notable visitor came with a splendid sequence of successes, and his prowess at the inter-allied games at Paris stamped him as a world beater. Prior to this he was practically unheard of in Kangarooland. But the fact that he competed against Australian soldier swimmers and other swimmers from all parts of the world, beat them over all recognised distances, and thus established a record, soon made his name famous throughout the swimming world. His victories in Australia, until he met Beaurepaire, were ail easily gained. Perhaps such swimmers as Springfield and iiongworth have deteriorated, but even the younger generation of natatorial artists were easily outclassed by Ross. Victoria, and, in fact Australia, have reason to feel proud of Beaurepaire, who gained the distinction of being the first and probably the only swimmer in the Southern Hemisphere who has, or will, lower Ross' colours, the greatest American swimmer since the days of the famous C M. Daniels. Beaurepaire's performance against Ross was remarkable from the fact that it is nearly nine years since he beat the world's champion abroad on 41 occasions, and established several world's records, and beat a swimmer like Ross, who is at the eenith of his fame, and five years his junior, is a unique feat, and one which indicates that Beaurepaire undoubtedly is one of the greatest of the world's swimmers. The race was for the 880 yards' Victorian championship in the St. Kilda Baths, Melbourne. There was a scene of great enthusiasm, it is reported, as Ross, accompanied by Beaurepaire, was rowed to thie starting board. Beaurepaire reached the water first, but Ross was soon on even terms. Beaurepaire swam an anxious race for the first 200 yards, but he invariably beat Ross at the turns, yet the American, with a powerful stroke, evened up the distance between them. Almost together they left the jope for the last lap. Then Beaurepaire, quickening his pace, forged ahead, but Roes, in answer to the challenge, failed to respond..

It is stated that he was "tattled" at the pace set by the Victorian, who continued to outstrip Rose, and finally finished 31secs. ahead of him, amidst the greatest enthusiasm. The time was 12.8 4-ssec.—lOsecs. slower than Beaurepaire's Victorian record. Stedman won the 100 yards at the same meeting easily in 59seos. ; Neither Ross nor Beaurepaire competed in this event. Both saved themselves for the half-niile. • •- . ■■ < North Shone swimming enthusiasts have woke up to the fact that it would be.a good idea to have a swimming club at Devonport with this end in view, and one has been formed to be known as the Devonport Club. The election of officers took place the other evening, Mr. D. W. McLean presiding. The committee comprise the following gentlemen: Messrs. J. K. Abraham, S. Rutledge, R. Vauae, W. Shanghnessey, J. Fraser, and two ladies, to be elected from the Ladies' Committee, with W. J. Faulknor, hon. secretary, and B. Somirali, hon. treasurer. * * * Arrangements have now been made for Norman Ross, the champion swimmer, to give an exhibition of swimming at Auckland en route to America. The Auckland Centre of the N.Z.A.S. Association will handle the visit. This will give Aucklanders the opportunity of seeing one of the world's beat swimmers in action, and it is hoped that the Association will endeavour to secure the Calliope Dock for its gala.