ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1367, 19 February 1912, Page 7

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

SWIMftUNG,

dominion championships, settling a protest. AUCKLAND FAR In'fRONT. (By Telegraph-Press Association.) Christchurch, February 17. The New Zealand amateur swimming chuinpionsiiiji meeting 'was resumed "t tho Municipal Baths this afternoon. There was a };ootl attendance of the piiblic, and tin- diffcroiit events, wen: followed with keen interest. M. I]. Champion (Wuiteimita) was in excellent form, and gave a very fine exhibition nf the r arl. lie succeeded in reducing the New Zealand records (his owm in the 22(1 yards and 880 yards—in each case by 1 Msec. The swimming in tho inler-dub even, was also good, and the ladies' race was well contested. Tho referee (Mr. George Harris) gave his decision ill the protests entered by Newman (Dunedin) and Schwartz (East; Christchurch) in the 880 yards. Mr. Harris said thai, after very careful consideration, he regretted very much that ho could not allow the swimmers mentioned to compete in the final, but, in view of the fact that the present was the only opportunity which ihey would have of".securing their cap and badge for having competed in Ihe event, he intended giving them an opportunity to .swim the distance. Jt might be that they would swim in the liual, but they would not be in the race, whether they came in first or not. (Applause.l

Although the spectators received the referee's decision with, applause, it is understood thai Iho three swimmers who were init. able to compete—Newman, Schwartz, and Hill—are not satisfied, and that, the protest nf Newman (Dnnedin) will be carried to the council of the New Zealand Swimming Association. The rules provide that, in the event of an alteration in the official programme, such alteration must be advertised in two local newspapers four days prior to llia date i:pon which the postponed event, is to be decided. In tin: present instance it is contended that, no advertisement announcing the alteration was published. Results were as follow:—

220 Yards Championship. (Holder, M. E. Champion. Time, 2min. 3!) sec.) First heat.—M. E. Champion (Waitctnuta), 1; 11. Jerred tOpawa), 2; G. Seymour (Napier), 3. Also competed: W. Claringbold (Wangauiii) and F...J. Ivernott (Ponsonby).'.Champion won by two yards, and Seymour was one and a half yards behind Jerred. Champion's time was 2min. ISsec.; Jerred's 2min. 47 3-ssec.; ami Seymour's. 2miu. 49 .3-Ssec. - Second heat.—C. Welsou (Waitemata), 1; P. A. A. Schwartz (East Christchurch), 2. R. Ilealey (Thorndon) and E. .1. Dawson (Dunedin) also competed. Welsou led from the start, and won by four yards, Henley being about two feet behind Schwartz. Wclson's time was 2min. 4-4 4-ssec., Schwartz's 2min. 47 3-ssec, and Healey's 2piin. 18 2-ssec. Pinal Heat. M. E. Champion (Waitemata) 1 E. C. Welson (Waitemata) 2 G. Seymour (Napier) 3 , Also competed: If. Jerred (Opawa); P. A. A. Schwartz (East Christchurch); and R. Hcaley (Thorndon). AVon by tiui yards, about five yards separating second and third. Time, 2mi'n. 37 3-si'CC—a NewZealand record. AVelson's time was 2min. 16' sec.; and Seymour's 2min. 50 l-ssec. ~ Half-Mile Championship. . (Present holder, M. E. Champion, Auckland, 12miii. 18 3-ssec.) The final heat resulted as follows:— M. E. Champion (AA'aitemata) 1 C. AVelson (AVnitemata) 2 C. JT. H. Rich (Opnwa) 3 These were the only competitors. Champion gave a fine exposition, and won by three yards, Rich being two laps behind tjie winner. Champion's time was ,12iniii. 17' l-ssec., anil a New Zealand record. AVelsoii's time was 12min. Usee, and ho obtained a standard. Cup Points. The points gained in the Yaldhurst Cup reckoning worked out. as follows:—Auckland, 28 points;'Hawke's Bay, 1 point; Canterbury, 1 point.

At the conclusion of yesterday's programme, Newman 'Dunedin* and Schwartz and Hill (Christchurch), who were unable to compete in.the 880 yards championships, swam the distance, but none of them managed to get standard time.