SWIMMING.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16142, 21 February 1918, Page 5

SWIMMING.

SCHOOLS' CHAMPIONSHIPS. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WANGANUI, February 20. Tho weather promises to be fine for th 9 opening of th© swimming championship meeting to-morrow. All ihe competitors have arrived or are arriving 10-night. Today was. occupied by those here in a final swim. All the Canterbury team are in lino form, and one and all can be relied upon to swim right up to form. Owing to heats being necessary in tho intermediate events, it has been docided to swim these to-morrow ■morning. In the 100 yds (boys), of tkoeo likely to qualify Murrell (Wellington) and Ahler3 (Auckland) look like fighting out a great battle for first honours, while the best of the Canterbury boys who qualify can bo relied upon to put up a good fight for third place. In the BSoyds, Low, Sutherland, and Orchard (Canterbury), Hogg (Hawke's Bay), Harding (Wanganui), and Aiders (Auckland) look liko qualifying. The Canterbury boya can all be relied upon to givo a good account of themselves in this event, and their supporters are very sanguine that they will -secure the threes places. Should a surprise bo effected it may come fiom Hardin" or Zeigler, both of whom have higu privets reputations. Tho 100 yds, girls, intermediate will probably resolve itself into a struggle between Miss Edcnborough (Auckland) and Miss lialchelor (Canterbury). Though the Canterbury girl is in fine form, the Auckland representative will probably prevail by a smail margin. Canterbury have excellent prospect! of also gaining third place. The schoolgirls' -race of sCfyu<) points to providing one of the best jaccs of thj meeting', several of the competitois credited with swims of practically the 6am3 time. G. Shand (Canterbury), Walrond (Auckland), and Xuttsll (Hawke's Bay) loo:: like filling the places. It is sale to nredict that 10 seconds will be broken for th? journey. Canterbury and Wellington look like fighting out a great battle for the honour of being the first winners of the Y/ar Memorial Shield, and from present indications only a few points will separate these two centres at the finish, and probably Canterbury, by means of third places, will become the holders. , Tito -i-10yds schoolboys' championship looks at the merer of the present nolder, von Sturmcr, of Auckland, although Batchelor (Canterbury), who is in rare buckle, may spring a surprise. Jchnston (Y/anganui) will probably fill third place. The race ;'s sura to be won in time under that of last year. Tho conference of delegates opened this evening. On the motion of Auckland, it was resolved to recommend the Council to include a 220vds ladies' Dominion championship ia the programme for the next open championship meeting. Considerable discussion took placj us to which month the championships should t>> held, and it was eventually decidcd to Tecommend the Council to hold them in March, u -l 0 P O2B and that nest year's meeting be held under the Canterbury Centre. A recommendation to the Council that the Association print school standard certi icates, and that they be issued by Centres, was carried. conference also decided to recommend the formation of new centres at South Auck-. l a Jjd, Palmereton North, and Auckland South. Iho conferencc then adjourned until Saturday morning.