WELLINGTON SWIMMING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10680, 29 January 1913, Page 3

WELLINGTON SWIMMING.

[Fitosi Octr Correspondent.] A terrible stir has been caused this week by letters in the newspapers from tho various keen enthusiasts regarding the decrease in popularity of swimming in Wellington. It tends to make one feel amused tho way in which various people rush into print to air their views, and after all that can be said on the subject wo come back again to zero, and by zero I refer to the Thorndon swiinfning carnival on Saturday , last. Had any of those gentlemen who Sso strenuously combated the views of | Messrs Atkins and Smith on the subJ ject of competitive swimming only | cast their eyes-round them on Saturday they would have found plenty of food for thought. Tho Centre held its circus last Wednesday and, judging by the rumours that have reached me, the perform- ' ance was quite up to expectations. How these delegates do like to hear their voices, and what piffle some of them talk. It almost leads one to ' expect to hear that one of these days I Edison has cabled his wish to have ' recorded on the magic disc_ as a comic item, "A meeting of swimmers in i Wellington." J The Thorndon Club held its carnival last Saturday and, taken all through, there is nothing "to write homo about." The Walker and Hall Cup. event was a very tame affair indeed, and, as usual, proved an easy win for Thorndon. The second place, however, was well contested and was in doubt right up to the last twenty-five yards, wheij Stranger (for Wellington) forged ahead and won by a yard from Swifts, with Old Boys in close attendance. The 50yds handicap was won by L. Henrys, who was very liberally treated by the handicapper. The scratch man had only to do 23 3-ssee to beat him, and he didn't. Robertson swam second, and he also received a good start. This swimmer can break 31sec any time he likes, and should be taken in hand by one of tho clubs and trained. The 100 yds handicap was a terrible affair and was won finally by Higgie, with Brice second and Healy third. Brice seems to be improving on his previous form this year and should be a certainty for Wanganui, unless Stranger can upset him The diving went to Claude Arthur, after keen competition with Wiggins and Reynolds, and the remainder of the programme just, filled in the odd moments and nothing more.