SWIMMING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19443, 31 October 1925, Page 4

SWIMMING

LADY SPRINTER INVITED TO AUSTRALIA. NOTES AND COMMENTS. "Mis Ena Stockley, the young sprint champion of New Zealand, has been invited by the New South Wales Amateur Ladies’ Swimming Association to visit Australia during the forthcoming season,” states a Sydney paper. "It is hoped she will arrive in Sydney about the New Year, in time for the Australian championships. "Mis Mariechen Wehselau formed a very high opinion of Miss Stockley’s abilities on account of the wonderfully good swim she put up against her as she was passing through the Dominion on her way home to Hawaii last season. In the 100 yards race Miss Stockley was beaten by only a touch, and registered the exceptionally fast time of 65 3-5 secs. Provided she has maintained that form she would win at that distance in Australia, but since last season a budding sprinter may have revealed herself. At any rate, the visit of Miss Stockley, who is said to be a pleasant girl, should make the ladies’ season one of much more than ordinary interest."

So far no intimation of the project has been received in Auckland. The invitation would be forwarded to the New Zealand Swimming Council at Christchurch for approval. Although Weismuller is not visiting Australia ’this season the Australian Swimming Union has heard from America that two prominent men would welcom§ an invitation. The union has asked the New South Wales executive to confer with its secretary as to the advisability of having the visit. As the New’ South Wales body has already decided not to recommend a tour this season, and has mapped out its programme accordingly, it hardly seems likely that any change will be made.

The swimmers concerned are both first-class performers, but are entirely unknown to the Australian public, and therefore it is highly improbable that their visit would be a success financially. The issue of the matter is interesting so far as Auckland is concerned, as the men would be almost certain to swim there eventually. The swimming racing season commenced in Sydney on October 17. when several clubs held their customary opening 50 yards spring handicaps. J. Barrett covered 50 metres in 27 3-5 secs., and 50 yards were left behind by K. McKenzie in 24 3-5 secs., R. Crooks jn 25secs., and J. McCure and F. Lowry in 25 4-5 secs. E. Henry, who retired so prematurely after representing Australia in the Olympic Games last year, may swim in the next New South Wales championships. At 100 yards the race between Doyle. Henry, Christie, Carberry and Stuart would be worth going a long way to see. C. Stuart, aged 18 years, one of the most brilliant of Australia’s younger sprint swimmers, is also a runner of rare promise. In the great public schools of New South Wales athletic championships held recently he retained his 886 yards title by winning in the record time of Imin 59 3-ssecs., after running the first 440 yards in 57 secs.