SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 63, 8 December 1926, Page 9

SWIMMING

(By "Overarm?’) First of Season’s Carnivals. The first carnival of the season, held under the auspices of the Wellington Centro last Saturday, could bo regarded as satisfactory from all points of view. Considering ail things, the attendance was really gcod. That is assurance that the public is interested in the sport and that it will patronise it as long as the caterers provide something worth going to see. The officials have the material at their disposal to provide something worth while. They have in Wellington this season a lot of really good and keen swimmers, including the Cameron brothers, Mcllardip, Murrell. Claridge, and Watson. The last-named is a newcomer from Scotland, who has not yet started training. rix-Trott, late of Nelson College, is also a ‘.niid. He looks as if be will develop into a very fine swimmer. As well as these first-class mon there are a good number who arc not quite top-notchers, uuit who are showing vast improvement. There are also many newcomers taking on the sport. Battling Along. Like many other amateur sports bodies the Wellington Swimming Centre is just battling along. In fact, from the reports of some of the officials,-it seems that it is just managing to keep its head above water, and that it is doing so only through tho generosity of some of the swimmers themselves, who do not claim the small amounts won in prize money at the carnivals. Last Saturday, though there semed to be quite a fair crowd of spectators, the centre would just clear itself on the day. But if tho weather had been otherwise, the centre would have had to record a deficit. Of course, all ouitdoor sports bodies take that chance, but it says something for the centre that they are determined to keep the price of admission down to one shilling. AV lien discussing ways and means of advertising tho carnival which is to be held on Saturday week, throe of the swimmers volunteered to carry sandwich boards round tho town on the procoding Friday night. When office clerks are willing to act the part of sandwich men there is a spirit pvixlnnt that should commend itsolf to all true sportsmen. and the next carnival should meet with a measure of success in just reward ef their efforts. Tepid Baths. Regret is expressed in many quarters that the Citv Council has not approved of the tepid baths site, which it says is too valuable to devote to such a purpose. The Wellington Centre is now no farther forward than it was three years ago. Tepid baths would be an acquisition to the general publicin fact, one that it is entitled to—as well as the swimmers, and if the proposed loan poll is carried the baths should be one of tho first objects to get a share of the money. Exhibition Troupe. It is on tho cards that the diving athletes, headed by W. Hicks. who gave such an excellent exhibition at the carnival on Saturday, will form a troupe and give exhibitions at all carnivals. Fifty Yards Championship.

An interesting event at the next carnival will be a _soyds. centre championship race. This will bo the first such race hold hero, and with the class of comnofitors available it should be a great sprint.

The Lloyd Cup. Tho first distance of the I,lord Cup (for juniors) has boon run off. but tho entries wore not vorv satisfactory, and if has boon decided to postpone the remainder of tho competition until tho Christmas holidays, when the boys will have more time.

President’s Cup. In tho first race for tho President’s Cup (50yds). under the Wellington Swimming Club, McHardy was first, liix-Troft second, and Blakely third. The time was Sfisec.