SPLASHES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20256, 16 March 1934, Page 11

SPLASHES.

Notes and Comments. I 1" : ==i

(By

“ PIKE." )

The 1933-34 swimming season in Christchurch has been perhaps the best for many years; it has certainly been the hardest. Many records have been broken, and the standard has been particularly high all round. Altogether, fifteen provincial and two New Zealand records were established. The season has been the longest for many A'ears, and swimmers showed signs of tiring towards the end. Although the weather conditions were anything but good, only one carnival had to be postponed. This year, more so than last, grade swimming proved its worth. It made the swimmers more enthusiastic, and helped them to better their times, thus improving the general standard. However, this section was a little drawn out — one round would have been suf- i ficient. The inter-club carnivals were numerous and fairly well patronised by swimmers, although the general public failed on more than one occasion to give the support merited. The allocating of three or four championships to each club for inclusion in its carnival programme was not a success. This statement is proved by the small entries received for the various championship events held at the later carnivals. It is to be hoped that next year the Canterbury Centre will follow the fashion set by Otago and other centres, and hold a championship carnival late in January, at which the majority of the titles will be decided. ° doubt two championship carnivals would be necessary to cope with the large number of championships, but something should be done. The holding of the New Zealand he ’v fair *.yiWM' t fTOTO r Vhe 1 5‘«n“l«"“ou e u*f- V ** Christchurch, but nothin* near “o what it should get. Manv officials in Canlerbury are confident that the New Zeahave convinced the finest sports, a mV"'they are°of opinion that it will he better patronised in the future. Canterbury’s first string in' Auckland ] next year should be Clyde Cliff, the i brilliant East Christchurch lad, who has just left the intermediate ranks. In the latter half of the season Cliff came into prominence in men’s events, and by winning the 220yds, the mile and the 440yds provincial titles, proved himself to be the best man in Canterbury at the present time. Besides securing the three men’s titles, he won all the intermediate boys’ free-stvle provincial titles and was second in the men's half-mile championship. In winning the intermediate boys’ 220yds and 440yds Cliff established new records for the distances, returning 2min 36-i-Ssec and smin 39 2-ssec respectively. When he swam a close second to M’Convifle in the half-mile men’s title race, Cliff returned the fast time of llmin 39sec—unofficially a New Zealand intermediate record. The existing record is 12niin 19 sec. These performances constitute a fine record for the season, and augur j well for Cliff’s future. Miss A. Morris lias a*n enviable record for. the season. Although only sixteen years of age, she won every women's f roe-style provincial championship except the quarter-mile, in which she did not start. She also secured every intermediate free-style title, save the 50yds. which went to Miss R.' Low. Jn winning these titles Miss Morris broke a Canterbury record every time but one—a fine performance. She twice broke the 220yds intermediate girls’ : record. On the firs* occasion she did 3mln 2sec, while on the second she returned 2min 59 3-ssee. Her time in the 220yds women’s championship at Linwood last Saturday—2min 58 4-ssec—-was an improvement on the latter record. Although it ivas established 1n a women’s event, it may be recognised as an intermediate record also. The ElniAA'ood girl also broke the 100yds intermediate record twice. At Beckenham she improved on her 71 sec, established at the Somerfield carnival, to return 70 4-ssec. Together with Miss Low, she reduced the girls’ back-stroke record to 61 l-ssec. Her time in the 100yds women’s back-stroke championship. 87 2-ssec. also constitutes a record. Miss Morris could not get below 32sec for 50yds, and on more than one occasion equalled her record time. Miss Morris is. Avithout doubt, Canterbury's best woman swimmer, and she should he with the leaders at the championships next year. -D. H. Symes again Avon the Canterbur y sprint championship, covering the 50yds in 26sec. He is ranked as Canterbury’s second man. His best swim this season was when he dead-heated Avitli Cliff in the 440yds championship. Symes proved his Aersatility by covering the distance in smin 29 4-ssec*. The Elmwood man also recorded the fastest “ hundred ” for Canterbury in the Flying Squadron race at the national meeting. Followers of the sport in Canterbury are wondering what has happened to E. M’Gonville. His showing in the quarter title race was poor. He secured lavo provincial titles—the 100yds and SSOyds —but apart from that he failed to produce anything like first-class form. He was unfortunate in not getting a place in the Canterbury A water polo team. M’ConAdlle can generally be relied upon to give a good account of himself at this sport, and had he been playing A grade polo throughout the season he would surely have been included. As it is, M’Conville does not get a fair chance, because his club can only manage to field a B grade team. Critics will be watching closely for an improvement in form next year. 5*5 2*5 5*5 G. Low had a short reign as New- Zealand back-stroke title-holder, his title passing on to W. Whareaitu, the Rotorua Maori. However, Loav still bolds the national records for 100 metres and 150yds, having established new figures (lmin 4 6 3-ssec) for the latter in January at his club’s carniA'al. Although Whareaitu beat Low easily this year, “Pike" is of opinion that the United man wil 1 regain his title at Auckland next year. He Avill ‘’oolll6 again," and this year’s defeat should help him along. It certainly looks as if L. J. Moorhouse has had his day as Nevv Zealand’s best back-stroke sAvimmer. By his showings in both the Canterbury and Ncav Zealand championships Moorliouse slioAved that 150yds does lot suit him. He is still the best back-stroke stylist in the Dominion, however, and holds the 200 and 400 metres records. Low had more than one attempt on Moorhouse’s 150yds record before ne succeeded, and it should be a long time before liis other two record times are bettered. C. R. Riordan made a good recovers to win the provincial di\-ing title troni E. Crossley, Avho suffered a loss of form. This may be Riordan’s last year in competitive diving. R. Hatch well is the best junior boy the proA’ince lias had for a number 01 years. His record-breaking 50yds in the Canterbury championship, swum in 29 3-ssec, was one of the outstanding efforts of the season. He also won th .® 100yds title in 72sec Hatchwell 1 junior champion of the province for >ne season. . . .. R. M’Kenzie, the High bchool youth, is another of Canterbury’s promising lads. He has been a consistent performer in open competition this yea , and his next year's form should be Avell | worth watching. I Ashburton Girls’ High t School Carnival. f (Special to the “ Star.”) ASHBURTON. March 15. r io\i \vith the High girls’ annual sports were held this afternoon. The weather was dull but mild. The final event for the junior championship and the whole of the senior, championship

events will be held to-morrow. To day’s Junior Handicao—R. Field 1. V. Timms 2. 25yds Dash. Senior Handicap—R. Andrew (scr) 1 B. Millichamp (2sac) 2. 25yds Dash. Junior Championship— M. Woods 1, P M’Elrea 2. Novice Race—M. Harrow 1. M. Bonifant 2. 50yds Breast-stroke. Junior Handicap—R. Field (2sec) 1. P. Brand Msec) 50yds Breast-stroke. Senior Handicap— E. Williamson (scr) 1. R. Andrew Douhie-oar. 25yds—R. Field and B. Millichamp 1. R. Andrew and M. Woods 2. Long Plunge—R. Field (32ft 7in) 1. Rurrowes (20ft lOin) 2, P. Brand 'Fug and Spoon—First heat: R. Field 1. F. Williamson 2. Second heat: A. Stewart 1. Final: 19. Williamson 1. A. I Stewart 2. I Inter-house Relay (teams of eight) I Hogg House (R. Andrew. M. Par tic, F. 1 Williamson. P. Brand. M. Brine. D. ! Edmonds. B. Millichamp and M. Woods) 1. Buchanan House 2. Tennant House *•