Championship Swimming Carnival.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 182, 18 January 1894, Page 8

Championship Swimming Carnival.

By

‘Natator.’

It could hardly have been anticipated by the promoters of the Auckland Swimming Club, that in a few years it would have developed into an institution capable of carrying out on so large and elaborate a scale a carnival such as that which took place on Saturday last. Fully 5000 people found their way to the Calliope Dock to witness the First Championship Swimming Carnival yet held in Auckland, and it must have indeed been gratifying to the committee and officers who conducted the meeting to see their efforts crowned with so much success. We venture to say that nothing which could reasonably be done for the convenience of the public was left undone, and the fact that so many people were conveyed to the Dock and back in the course of a few hours without a single accident speaks volumes for the care which was exercised by the management on their behalf. A few, perhaps, who were compelled to stand around on the top of the Dock, may not have been able to witness the contests with the comfort and ease with which they would have liked, but we have no doubt that the management in its modesty little deemed that the carnival would have been patronised so liberally, and consequently neglected to provide accommodation which it thought unnecessary. The chief feature of the carnival was, of course, the fact that there were present competitors from nearly all parts of New Zealand, while New South Wales had sent across her strongest contingent to maintain her world-renowned fame in the natatorial art. Swimming has of late undoubtedly made rapid strides in Auckland, and judging by the enthusiasm displayed on Saturday it will receive a still further impetus, which, ere long, will place it in the foremost ranks of summer pastimes. On Saturday lads of 8 or 9 years might have been seen at the Calliope Dock in hundreds, and it was really interesting to hear their intelligent remarks upon the different styles in which the competitors swam, and the knowledge displayed of their merits. It is from these boys we will find our future champions, and we say unhesitatingly that in them the pastime of swimming has an army of most ardent supporters. There were in all twenty events set down upon the programme, but the heats were not started very punctually. We would impress upon the committee the absolute necessity of keeping faith with the public. If by the programme the public are to be allowed to leave at a certain time, let them go; detain them, and you court an element which must prejudice the Club’s future carnivals. Taken altogether, the meeting proved most enjoyable —fine weather, large fields, close finishes, and a large concourse of people, all contributing to its success. THE CONTESTS. The first event of the meeting was the 75 Yards Maiden, in which only three out of the nine entered faced the starter. H. Hoey had things very much as he pleased, although for a while Percival, who swam well, looked very like a winner. Hoey is a swimmer of whom we shall soon here more, his swimming in the Half Mile Championship proving he is a long way above theaverage. The Boys’’ Race of 75 yards brought out a large field, the swimming being really excellent. The winner turned up in G. A. Tyler, P. C. Bailey (brother of ‘ our own Bert’) being second. Between these two lads there is little or nothing to choose. Bailey conceded Tyler two secs., but in a race from the mark I think the former would just about win. The next race, the Ladies’ Bracelet, 100 yards, was perhaps the best contested event of the day. The following were left in the final:—Upton, Drummond, Gumbleton, Marsh, Bailey, Morton, H. Upton, Johns and Goldwater. From the easy manner in which he won his heat, this race looked a real good thing for Marsh. In the final heat all the men left their marks well to time. Marsh, the limit man, swimming in good style, appeared to be winning easily, until within about twenty yards of the tape, when Gumbleton, coming with a great rush, passed him and seized the tape two yards in advance. However Gumbleton, who is one of the Sydney contingent, and a firstclass man, came to get on the 30 seconds mark is more than a. lot can understand. From enquiries made, it appears that our handicappers are in no way responsible

He was placed on that mark owing to information supplied by the other members of the Sydney team. This much is certain: his comrades underestimated his swimming abilities or he is a vastly -improved man since his last public performance. The winner was nominated by Miss Gumbleton. The first Championship of the meeting was the Long Dive, in which, unfortunately, there was only one competitor W. J. Allen, the present champion. Allen dived 61 yards, which, although a good performance, is nevertheless far under what he is capable of doing when asked. The Blindfold Race resulted in Cassidy, Dixon and Farmer being the placed men. McLeod reached the rope first, but was disqualified owing to his handkerchief - coming off. The 220 yards Championship came next, and of course attracted great interest. Owing to one competitor anticipating the starter the contest resulted in a complete failure, the men leaving their marks in a very straggling order. Gormley perceiving it was no start, stopped after having gone twenty yards. The other men were interferred with very considerably, but Meadham and Bailey finished in that order. ; The event came off in the Calliope Dock on Monday evening, when all the competitors, including C. Hellings, who did not start on Saturday, faced the starter. Being apparently a very open contest about 500 enthusiasts crossed the harbour to witness the settlement. The men again failed to leave their marks on anything approaching equitable terms, Bailey and Gormley being particularly slow. Once in the water the pace was made very warm, so much so that a few had beaten themselves when the 100 yds was reached. Up to sixty yards there was nothing to choose between Hellings, Holmes and Meadham. Gormley, who was gaining in every stroke, now began to put in his claim, and by the time the 100 yards was reached the 220 Yards Championship was virtually over. Swimming with a powerful swinging stroke he continued to increase his lead, until at the turning point—which is 180 yards — he was 7 yards in advance of all. In turning Gormley paused perceptibly, and took a calm view of the other competitors, then pushing off with great force and slightly quickening his stroke he swam to the ropes 10 yards in advance of Meadham, who was closely followed by Holmes.' A great finish then took place between Bailey and Hoey, the former by a good spurt seizing the rope a few feet in advance. 0. Hellings, who up to 100 yards was swimming in good style, appeared to completely go to pieces. In the Public School Handicap of 75 yards, our young swimmers were seen to great advantage. The winner turned up in E. Kenny, his brother N. Kenny swimming third to A. G. Warnock, the scratch man, who was a good second. The Fifty Yards Handicap brought out ' a field of 22 starters, and the finishes of the heats were most exciting. In the final, in which the starters were McLeod, Dixon. Goldwater, Johns, .Gittos, Fagan, Dacre and Morton, the men struck the water well to time. Johns, who has a good turn of pace, soon assumed command, and, never leaving the issue in doubt, won in a rather easy manner.

The Half-mile Championship of New Zealand being the next event to bring out‘Gormly, Hellings, Bailey, and the other championship competitors, naturally attracted much interest. So far Gormly had not performed, and Helling’s performances over this distance appeared to give him a great chance, whilst many were of opinion that Hedges would give a good account of himself. As the men took up their position on the starting platform the spectators manifested the interest they felt by an absolute silence, until Bailey’s appearance became the signal of a ringing burst of applause. All the competitors left their mark to an indifferent start, Bailey being the last to move, and being thrown into the water by the starting platform turning .upside down. Gormly and Hellings at once went to the front, and after the first lap it was clear that one of these would supply the winner. Both soon established a commanding lead, Gormly drawing away from Holdings.. At the 600yds mark Gormly had increased his lead, his nearest attendant being Hellings, who was followed by Hoey, Hedges and Holmes. All the men finished in this order, Gormly and Hellings, whose respective times were 13min 52 2-sth sec, and 14min 18 2-sth sec, lowering Bailey’s New Zea-

land record of 14min 55sec, made in the Lyttleton Dock in 1892. Hoey’s inital attempt over this distance is a very meritorious performance, and gives promise of great things in the near future. Hedges swam in a very plucky manner, but was outclassed; while Bailey retired after the second lap. A little excitement was caused by the time being given as 12min 52sec, which, had it been correct, would have been a world’s amateur record

The programme was brought to a close by the Water Polo Match between Auckland and Christchurch. This game very much resembles Association football, and the spectators appeared to take a very lively interest in its progress. Although the Auckland men were undoubtedy the best the superior skill and coolness of the Christchurch team enabled them to have things very much as they pleased, and the game resulted in a win for the latter by 4 goals to nil. It is a matter of regret that the doctor’s instructions will prevent a meeting between Gormly and G. H. Hellings. Such a ‘ go ’ would be well worth seeing, and not a few incline to the opinion that Hellings would prove his superiority over the 100 yards course. Numerous discussions have taken place as to Bailey’s condition, the majority maintaining that he is far from well In the Half-mile Championship his form was so poor as to suggest that there must be something wrong. In the 50 Yards on Saturday McLeod swam remarkably well, and had he stuck to the style of swimming which he adopted in his heat he would have deen much closer up in the final. All the visitors are highly delighted with the Calliope Dock, and say that they could imagine nothing better for swimming purposes