TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 67, 21 March 1938, Page 10

TAIHAPE

SWIMMING CARNIVAI

Tj rills and excitement were provided by the three New Zealand lad\ champions, Mona Leydon, Gwen Rix and Joyce MacDonald who appeared a; a carnival held in the Taihape Municipal baths on Friday evening

The visit of these three swimmerwho represented New Zealand at the Empire Games at Sydney, nad oe-.i eagerly awaited by local swimming enthusiasts with rhe result that the baths were packed almost to capaefiy for the highlight of the local swimming season. The three visiting champions z\nd their chaperone, Mrs. Isaacs, C. L. Mullany, who extended a warm were introduced to the crowd by Mr welcome to Misses Leydon, MacDonald, and Rix, on behalf of the Taihape Amateur Swimming Club. Mr. Mullany said that the club felt honoured at Taihape being included in the visitors itinerary and he was sure that the visit of such outstanding exponents of the aquatic art would give a fillip to swimming in Taihape. Miss Leydon was the present free-style champion of the Dominion, while Miss MacDonald was the New Zealand backstroke champion. Miss Gwen Rix was the champion lady diver of the Dominion, and Taihape was indeed fortunate in having the opportunity of seeing this outstanding trio in action. He hoped that the visiting champions would enjoy their bref visit to Taihape and he could assure them that their exhibitions would give pleasure to hundreds of swimming enthusiasts.

A letter was read from the Mayor Mr. L. B. H. de Lautour), regretting that he and members of the Borough Council were unable to attend owing to a prior engagement. His Worship added that he wished to welcome the visiting lady champon swimmers to Taihape and hoped that they would enjoy their visit to this town. He had taken the greatest interest in their achievements and felt pleased and proud that Taihape had been included in their tour.

Mrs. Isaacs returned thanks for the warm welcome and added that Misses Leydon, MacDonald and Rix were the best of their class in New Zealand, and the speaker hoped that the exhibitions to be given by this outstanding trio would give the public as much pleasure as it gave the girls’ themselves to perform. (Applause). Miss Gwen Rix also returned thanks for the welcome extended to Misses Leydon and MacDonald, and herself and hoped that the spectators would oe able to pick up some hints from the exhibitions. Miss Rix went on to say that she and her team mates were enjoying their tour immensely and were looking forward to a good time in Taihape. The first of the lady champions to perform was Miss Mona Leydon, who gave a delightful exhibition of free style swimming over a distance of 200 yards. She was paced by Lloyd and Niven, who each swam a hundred yards. Miss Leydon greatly impressed the spectators with her exhibition, and was accorded an ovation. Miss MacDonald’s turn came next and she swam four lengths of the baths (1331-3yds.) backstroke, being paced over the last two lengths by N. Powell, who incidentally swam verywell indeed.

The ease and grace of Miss MacDonald’s style was a revelation and she made backstroke look easy, a noticeable feature being the absence of splash. She also was loudly applauded for her fine effort. Miss Rix was the last of the champions to give an exhibition and her diving caused the spectators to gasp with amazement. Each dive was announced and explained by Mr. Peter Coira, of Wellington, who is the North Island representative of the N.Z. Swimming Council. Miss Rix executed several different dives from the top board including a standing plain dive, a running dive, forward flying somersault; on-and-a-half forward somersault with pike (the most spectacular of all dives), pike high standard dive, forward dive with backward turn, high standard half-screw; and the dive that gained her honours at the Empire Games—a back half-screw mollberg dive. Miss Rix then turned her attention to the springboard, from which she executed a double somersault and several other dives including a back dive. Her exhibition lasted quite a long time and loud applause greeted her efforts. The spectators looked as though they would be prepared to remain all night and watch Miss Rix perform, so delighted were they with her exhibition.

A demonstration of trick swimming by Misses Rix and MacDonald was also greatly enjoyed. Mr. C. L. Mullany acted as announcer at the carnival, while Mr. H. D. Bond was starter and timekeeper. The judges of the swimming events were Messrs. E. Mercer, J. Bridson, D. Woodhead. Mrs. Isaacs judged the diving events. Mr. F. A. Ball discharged the duties of secretary. Results. Boys under 14 years, 66 2-3yds. handicap.—J. Holmes 1, C. Scott 2. Girls under 14 years, 66 2-3yds. handicap.—C. Howe (Hunterville) 1, J. Niven 2. Men’s 100yds. handicap.—B. Niven (4secs.) 1, W. King (9secs.) 2, J. Lloyd (lOsecs.) 3. Ladies’ 66 2-3yds. handicap. P. Hamlin (scr.) 1, L. Smith (2secs.) 2. Girls’ 66 2-3yds. handicap over 14 years.—N. Ward 1, C. Howe 2, N. Ward 3. Men’s Dive.—N. Powell 1, R. Stewart 2, W. Healey 3. Boys’ 66 2-3yds. handicap over li years.—E. Smith 1, J. Holmes 2. Ladies’ Dive.—N. Ward 1, C. Howe 2, J. Mansfield 3 . Dual Relay.—W. King and Miss ±. Mansfield 1, R. McLennan and Miss N. Ward 2. Ladies’ 331-3yds. breaststroke.—P Ward 1, N. Ward 2. Girls’ Dive.—C. Howe 1, H. Nash 2. Boys’ Dive.—S. Bowater 1, C. Howe 2. Men’s 150yds. handicap. B. Niven 1, W. King 2. Competitors and officials were the • uests of the Taihape Swimming Club I at supper at the Crystal Bar, after the carnival.