SWIMMING

Waipa Post, Volume 39, Issue 3088, 12 December 1929, Page 5

SWIMMING

VISIT OF AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONS.

WELCOMED TO TE AWAMUTU.

The two youfig Australian champion swimmers, N. Ryan (long distance) and O. Griffiths (sprint), with their manager, Mr Bryant, arrived in Te Awamutu on Tuesday afternoon last in continuation of their tour of the Dominion under the auspices of the New Zealand Swimming Council. They were met by executive officers of the local swimming club and his Worship the Mayor (Mr C. G. Downes) and entertained to afternoon tea at the Cental Tearooms, where Mr Downes, as patron, accorded them a hearty welcome on behalf of the club, and as Mayor extended to them a cordial welcome to Te Awamutu. He said it was a noteworthy occasion, and the visitors were doing a great deal of good by showing the swimmers of the Dominion just what is possible to achieve. The tour would be instructive and educative, and he trusted the party would thoroughly enjoy themselves. (Applause.)

Mr Downes also mentioned that it was a happy occasion, for he understood that one of the visitors, Mr Ryan, had that day attained his eighteenth birthday, and he had been commissioned by the club’s executive to ask that gentleman to accept as a memento of the .occasion a razor in a neat case, with all good wishes for a very pleasant time in the Dominion and many happy recollections on his return home.

Mr Ryan, on rising to reply was heartily applauded. He said it was somewhat embarrassing to be called upon to respond to such a hearty greeting—they had Mr Bryant with them to do all the talking—but he would say that he greatly appreciated the club’s thoughtful act in commemorating an important event in his life. He had never had an eighteenth birthday before, and the way Mr Downes had spoken he could assure those present that he would always remember the event, more especially as he had a very beautiful and useful gift as a constant reminder of Te Awamutu. (Applause.) Mr Bryant, replying to the welcome to Te Awamutu, said they had hardly had time to* look around the town, but he would say they had been much impressed with the beauty of the surroundings, and they could quite realise why the people of this district were proud of it. In fact, the whole country had impressed them by the many evidences of prosperity, while the beautiful scenery and charming homes and farms were almost entrancing. He went on to tell of the objects of the tour, and the steps taken by the swimming authorities in Australia and New Zealand to make the tour possible. Of the tour itself he could say that the boys found it a bit strenuous, but they were so enjoying themselves that they had not yet had time to find it wearisome. He hoped the Te Awamutu Swimming Club would prosper, and so do all it could to foster a very useful accomplishment. THE CARNIVAL. There was a splendid attendance at. the municipal baths in the evening but disappointment was expressed at the non-appearance (through indisposition) of Bridson, the Auckland champion, who had twice been successful against the visitors at Auckland and Whangarei carnivals. However, the appearance of the Australians at. the Te Awamutu carnival was eagerly awaited, and when they appeared they were accorded an enthusiastic reception. Griffiths had a hard task in conceding good starts to the South Aucklanders, but he triumphed, even though by only a narrow margin.

Later in the evening Griffith thrilled the spectators by an exhibition of swimming strokes, tricks and fancy diving. His versatility in the water was the subject of very favourable comment, and as each section of his display concluded there was warmhearted applause. Many of his “ stunts ” will long be remembered. The assemblage cheered the Australians at the conclusion of their display, and again at the close of the carnival.

The arrangements for the carnival were in capable hands, and throughout it was well managed. Mr H. E. Wilson proved an indefatigable secretary, while Mr G. M. Blair proved to be the right man in the right place as handicapper. He succeeded in securing several very close and exciting finishes. The times were not exceptional, but the cold weather that had prevailed during the past fortnight was largely responsible for this, for the locals had not had opportunity for practice and'' training while some felt the cold so keenly that-thsy withdrew from some of the events they had enterecl/ for. Messrs G. Jeffs, K: Xaurie and A. A. Reese carried out their duties as judges well and they were ably assisted in the diving competitions by- Professor Richardson, of Hamilton Mr A. E. Pattersdh, as usual, wasefficient as announcer, and Mr S. A. Empson was equally efficient as starter:-, Several, other officials also “ did tjj-afe Tbit-’* capably. Results:— _ Boys’ Handicap, First heat: J. Mens fort 2, Goodall 3; .won heat, J. Smith, 1, easy wirn_ Final. Smith 2. vi/^ Men’s (open).- djj ilton), fpMt - ~v. -/ \ bridge• ,• - ~v, v/ , ?■' /■’ j Second 2 sec.,/l; ' secs, 2, B ,

1, Dudley 2, Baker 3. A very close and exciting finish. Ladies Handicap, 33 1-3 yards (open).—Miss H. Crompton (Hamilton) 1, Miss S. Mclvor (Cambridge) 2, Miss Newman (Cambridge) 3. Won by inches, with Miss Newman 2 yards away. Boys’ Dive, 16 years and under.— D. Noble 1, Jones (Cambridge) 2. Men’s Invitation Handicap 100 yards.—The two Australians did not compete in the heats, but were eligible to start in the final. First heat: R. L. Adams (Te Awamutu) 5 sec., 1; K. Hiskens (Te Awamutu) 2; won comfortably. Time, 79 secs. Second heat: E. Hall (Cambridge), 5 sec., 1; T. Bell (Te Awamutu, 6 secs 2; S. Speight (Cambridge), 8 sec., 3; a great finish, Hall winning by inches. Time, 68 secs. Ryan did not come out for the final, but Griffiths started from scratch, and swimming strongly he won by a touch from Adams, Hall being a yard away. Griffith was conceding his opponents 5 secs., but he actually gave them 6 sec. He showed remarkable ability at the turns, gaining appreciably at each. He received an ovation for his win. Time, 64 sec. Girls’ Dive, 16 years and under (open).—Miss Crompton 1, Miss Mclvor 2.

Corfu Dive (open).—S. Speight (Cambridge) 1, G. Dalton (Te Awamutu) 2, Jones (Cambridge) 3. Ladies’ Handicap, 50 yards (open). —Miss Mclvor (Cambridge) 1, Miss Newman (Cambridge) 2; Miss Crompton (Hamilton) 3. The winner had a comfortable victory. Men’s Invitation Handicap, 220 yards.—This event developed into an exhibition swim by N. Ryan, the Australian being paced over the first hundred yards by T. Bell and over the remainder by R. L. Adams. Bell was conceded 8 sec. and Ryan was almost level with him at the 100 yards but meantime Adams had entered the water about 4 sec. ahead and he maintained the lead right to the winning post, having a margin of about 5 feet at the close. Time, 2.40. Men’s Dive (open).—D. Noble 1, S. Speight 2. VISITORS SOMEWHAT TIRED. There was a large attendance at the Cambridge municipial baths last evening when the Australian champions, Noel Ryan and Owen Griffiths, competed. Owing to the exhausting effect of their strenuous itinerary the two visiting swimmers were somewhat tired. Griffiths swam in the final of the 66 2-3yds. event and came third. He also gave an exhibition of diving and swimming strokes. As there were no other competitors in the 220yds race, Ryan gave an exhibition swim.

The principal events were:— Inter-club Relay.—Te Awamutu 1; Cambridge, 2. Hamilton did not start. Men’s Open Handicap, 66 2-3yds.— R. Gibson (9s), 1; R. J. Speight (8s), 2; O. Griffiths (scr), 3. Time 465. A good race, with the result doubtful right to the judges. Ladies’ Handicap, 33 l-3yds.—Miss Murtagh (3s), 1; Miss H. Crompton (2s), 2; Miss I. Hobbs (Is), 3. Time 275.

Intermediate Handicap, 66 2-3yds.— R. Gardiner (9s), 1; D. Noble (7s), 2; R. Easter (4s), 3. Time, 60 2-ss.