SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 39, 15 February 1930, Page 22

SWIMMING

BY "HEADER"

EVANS BAX

POPULAR WITH BATHERS

LACK OF FACILITIES

FIXTURES.

February 22.—Wellington Club Annual Garni-

February 27.—Hutt Valley Club Carnival,

Marc^ll-Mas^rton Club Annual Carnival,

Masterton. , March 8.— Primary Schools Association Annual Carnival, To Aro.

With the advent of wjiat might be termed real summer weather, tho sport has come into its own for the first time this season. All the various bathing resorts, have been extensively patronised, Evans Bay in particular proving very popular. The many hundreds who do their swimming in this locality are not over-blessed with up-to-date accommodation, and it is surprising that they frequent tho spot so often, considering tho inconveniences. The peculiar part about it all is that tho Evans Bay Club have been prepared for some time to erect a club house to accommodate its 250 odd members, and so relieve tho position to a great extent, but tho necessary permit cannot bo secured. It will be recollected that during tho winter months a committee was formed to protect this area from the suggested reclamation proposals. Whether their efforts will be successful or not, time alone will tell, but in the meantime it would seem that this popular ■ resort will not be any better served than it has been for some y.ears past. It is understood that even if reclamation is proceeded with, it will be a matter of fifteen years or so before it reaches tho bathing area at Evans Bay. In this case it is surely not asking too much that the facilities bo extended to cater for the hundreds who patronise it. The Evans Bay Club would no doubt bo prepared to do their share, as tho funds raised for the purpose are still available, and the members would welcome tho opportunity of making this spot as attractive as its popularity deserves. National Championships. The recent conference of delegates at Greymouth was asked by the New Zealand Council to give an expression of opinion on the suggestion that the intermediate and junior championships be separated from the senior championships. After discussion, it was unanimously decided to recommend that the change be adopted, and for one season, at least, it will become effective. Tho venue for tho respective meetings has not yet been, decided. There were applicants for next year's championships from Manawatu, Wanganui, and South Canterbury contres, but in. view of the change, and in order to give the three centres concerned an opportunity of discussing the new arrangement, decision was deferred until a later date, when a postal ballot will be taken. Present indications favour Wanganui for the. intermediate and junior championships, and South "Canterbury for tho seniors. Jack Enwright. < In some branches of sport, performers aro produced who retain their form well beyond the allotted term, and so it is in swimming. Tho reference is to Jack Enwright, of Auckland, recent winner of the Kellerman Cup, who registered his second victory in th 6 .long distance race. He can-well be termed the veteran of this event, as he has started in it on every occasion, since its inception in 1922. In that year the contest was held at Wellington, Enwright, off 12 minutes, filling second place to Miss Q. Nuttall, Napier, and also gaining'second fastest time. Since then his placings in tho succeeding years have been 2nd, Bth, Ist, 2nd, 6th, 2nd, 4th, and Ist. Ho also gained fastest time at Lyttelton in 1925, the year that he won. These performances are a distinct credit to Enwright, who retains his pace in this class of event to a remarkable degree. His judgment, too, is very sound, and this helps him considerably, especially when the race is swum over a lap course. Strange to say, he has only figured on the scratch mark once. This was after ho. had established fastest time, but at other periods he has always been in receipt of a handicap. It looks as if Bridson will have to enter if Enwright wants a handicap start next year. Claridge's Effort. "Stump" Claridge was the only Wellington competitor in the Kellerman Cup, and he swam meritoriously, gaining fastest time. Conditions were hardly to his liking, but it is doubtful if he could have beaten Enwright on the day. J. Blakeley was an entrant, but not having the necessary medical certificate, was not allowed to start. It is understood that he made more than one attempt to be examined, but was not successful. This was unfortunate, as many of his supporters were confident that he would have been hard to beat. Kace for Sprinters. All the short distanio sprinters will be able to show their paces at tho Wellington Club Carnival on Saturday afternoon next, when the 50yds centre championship will be one of: the main events decided. There are a few swimmers who, although they cannot be up with the cracks at the end of 100 yds, can muster up the speed to go half the distance, so that a great race should eventuate. Tho Walker and Hall flying squadron also promises to bo an interesting race, with ' teams; from Maranui, Wellington, Lyall Bay, and Hutt Valley competing. The lastnamed club should go very close to winning the trophy for the first time. School children will be to the fore in the annual contests for the Coltmau and Duthie Caps, and also the Maxwell trophies, while the divers will be on hand to compete for the centre diving championship. These aro the main events of a very attractive programme, for which entries will close On Tuesday night next.

A. Baird, who has been unable- to do any swimming until recently, through being laid up, hopes to be able to compete shortly. All going well, ho is a likely starter in tho half-milo championship, which is to be held at Lower Hutt the week after noxt. Cameron in Australia. The ex-New Zealand sprint champion, W. Cameron, is to be a competitor at tho Australian championships, which commonee shortly. Ho should ljo in tiptop form by now, and news of his racing will bo awaited with interest.

Although thn New Zealand Council could not finalise a tour by the Australian lady swimmers, Miss Jem Cocks and Miss Edna Davty, Auckland had in mind an effort to do so. A request was received by Miss K. Miller to compote in that city against tho overseas sturs, but tho lady champion had to decline owing to private reasons. At tho time of writing it is not known <is to whether tho northerners aro still going ahead with, their proposition.