SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 19799, 24 February 1928, Page 12

SWIMMING

[By Hooker.]

FIXTURES

March 3.—Swimming events at 11avonsboiimo regatta. March 31.—Otago Centre’s Olympic Appeal Carnival.

NEW ZEALAND GIRLS IN MELBOURNE.

At the time of writing the New Zealand girls had made only ono appearance in Melbourne, but that marked successes on tho part of both Miss Eua Stockley and Miss Kathleen Miller, though the latter was not contesting one of her recognised distances. A very inadequate report came through by the cable, but the wireless announcer gave some indication of what took place. According to the radio man, Miss Ena Stockley is one of tho finest 100yds swimmers that has ever been seen in Australia, hub before the race he did not expect Miss Kathleen Miller to ho prominently. placed. Miss Stockley gained a yard at the start, and maintained her lead all the way, eventually winning by 2yds. Miss Miller was lying back with hut a few yards to go, hut she finished in her wonderfully determined fashion to snatch second place from Miss Ettie Robertson by barely a touch. The time was 67 4-sscc, tho pool being a fresh water one. It was a good performance on the part of both New Zealand girls, and Otago supporters have every reason to feel highly elated that Miss Miller should finish so prominently in a race to which she usually does not pay a great deal of attention. The success that is attending the New Zealand ladies must be making Australian swimming supporters . sit up and take notice, and it should further impress upon the New Zealand public the desirability of raising sufficient funds to despatch the pair of them to the Olympic Games. Miss Stockley has yet to appear in a back-stroke event, but when she does startling time should be registered. Even tho world's record does not appear beyond tho Auckland girl, for she has but four seconds to go in the 100-metres event. SUCCESS IN SYDNEY. The following account of the successful appearances of the New Zealand lady champions, Miss Ena Stockley and Miss Kathleen Miller, in the New South Wales championships is taken from the Sydney ‘ Sun ’: — “ Tho triumph of the New Zealanders, Ena Stockley and Kathleen Miller, in the 100yds and 440yds championships of Now South Wales, notwithstanding the achievement of fourteen-year-old Betty Taw, representing Sydney Club, in swimming third in both these events, was an extraordinary feature of the ladies’ carnival at the Domain Baths yesterday afternoon. Next to that, in merit, was the thrill- ! ing endeavor by Edna Davc.y, of the Spit Club, to defeat Kathleen Miller in the quarter mile. She lailed only by a fraction of a second. Tho majority of the New South Wales competitors seemed mere children to the older and more experienced New Zealand girls. Still, what they lacked in years the Stale representatives made up in pace. Ena Stockley had little difficulty in winning the 100yds championship, finishing at least loft in front of Jean Cocks, the young Bondi swimmer, who celebrated her thirteenth birthday yesterday. But Jean tried desperately to win, and, quite undismayed, essayed io defeat the New Zealand girl, Kathleen 'Miller, in the quarter-mile. She could not manage to do any better, however, than to gain fourth place. “ Easily the greatest stir of tho afternoon was the struggle between Kathleen Miller, and Edna Davey in the 440yds. Miss Davey held the _ lead until not far from the finish, and if she had been able to finish with a sustained sprint would have won well from tho New Zealander. Miss Miller began her winning effort from the final turn at 330yds, slowly lessened the lead of Miss Davey, and they were fighting it out shoulder to shoulder 10yds from the finish. They touched so quickly after one another that _ spectators were baffled. The judges, in fact, did not instantly declare who had won. Watches were consulted before the race was awarded to the Now Zealander. Jwnse who watched tho finish most carefully were unanimous that Miss Miller won by a touch The watches bore that (m t. But fully 95 per cent, of the onlookers, including competitors, were convinced that it was a dead-heat. “ Miss Fanny Durack, former Australian champion and Olympic representative, witnessed the racing. Both her records for the 100yds and 440yds were endangered. Ena Slock ley’s tune for the 100yds was only a fifth or a second slower than Miss Durack s Australian record by an Australian-born swimmer, while Kathleen Miller’s tune in the 440yds was a mere half-second outside the Australian’s record, which has stood sinco 1917. Tho Now Zealand girls, who are generally popular m Sydney, will appear in Melbourne in the Australian championship They will return to Sydney for another State carnival later this month, and will subsequently visit Wellington to appear at a country carnival.” . A description of the 440yds is appended:—" Jean Cocks gob away badly, and was 2vds behind tho others, who wore together at 60yds. Edna Davey turned with a nice lead at 110yds, but tho New Zealand girl made up a little leeway in the second lap. Nevertheless, Edna Davey led by 3yds from Kathleen Miller at 220yds, her time benm 2.04. Betty Taw was lying third, and Jean Cocks was trying to mako up ground. Edna Davey’s lead was slightly decreased at 330yds. Her time then was 4.13 1-5. The New Zealander came with a phenomenal burst down the last 110yds, and caught Edna Davey about 25yds from the finish. There was a desperate race then to touch. Kathleen Miller had the great advantage of the ‘look’ on the Spit Club girl. The spectators could not separate tho pair, many calling cut; ‘ Dead heat 1’ _ It took the judges a little time to decide, but Kathleen Miller had undoubtedly won, by a touch. Betty Taw was about 12yds away third. Edna Davey’s time was 6.4, and Betty Taw’s 6.19 4-5. Jean Cocks was fourth. Miss Miller’s time was only half a second slower than Fanny Durack’s Australian record.” The report neglects to mention that Miss Miller and Miss Stockley were both but a few days off tho boat and swimming over much longer lengths than they were accustomed to. Reckoning on several seconds for the turns, Miss Miller’s time for Hie 440yds worked out very near the world’s record of smin_ 53 2-sssc held by Miss Martha Norelius, of America. KIWI HAPPENINGS, The Kiwi Club had a splendid attendance of active competitive swimmers on Tuesday night, the club championship competitions being commenced. • Though he took things comfortably, i

N. H. Bailey swam a good race in the 50yds championship, carving his way to victory in the very fair time of 27 4-ssec. Bailey used a very powerful stroke, and won by clearly a yard. W. P. Boyd swam quite a fair race for second place, narrowly heating the much-improved W. Hamilton. The latter is one of the most consistent members of the club, and next season should find him troubling the best of them if ho improves at the rale he is doing at present. Ho is ono of tho most solid players in tho polo team, though so far as attack is concerned Boyd is the star. The latter’s throwing has unproved out of sight, and he is now a very accurate shot. He should score more than a few goals during tho forthcoming intercluh water polo competition. , , There were five starters in the men s event, and the ladies’ 50yds championship was contested by four swimmers. Miss M. Morgan led almost from tho start and, swimming well, she won by 11yds from Miss M. Morrison. Miss Morgan has developed a good stroke, and promises to furnish into one of the best lady swimmers in Dunedin. Miss Morrison is cultivating a better arm stroke, and though she began well she was fading away at the finish, depite the fact that the race was a slow one, the winner’s time being 38 l-ssec. She hung on long enough, however, to boat Miss P. Lang by a touch for second place. Miss Morrison is capable of better time thftn this for - 50yds, but of late the ex-New Zealand ladies’ diving champion has been concentrating more upon nor diving with a view to contesting tho club’s diving championship. Over the longer distances* however, she will find it hard to withstand Bliss Lang, though the writer is of tho opinion that Bliss Blorgan is going to ho the hardest to head off. Bliss Morgan is a powerful and determined swimmer, who should be capable of good time once she has had a little experience over 100yds, which is the third distance to ho swum off.

R. Geddes won tho junior boys’ 50yds championship in a field of four by a yard from W. Jarvis, but the New Zealand junior breast stroke champion swam below form, despite his win. Ho was rolling badly, and will need to devote more attention to his stroke if he is to achieve success in free style swimming. Still, ho will bo- hard to beat in the club's junior swimming and diving championships. W. Jarvis is a much-improved lad, and filled second place to Goddes. Jarvis’s stroke is being developed along tho right lines, and if he is not pushed too fast he will do well later on. W. Buckland was third.

The junior girls’ 25yds championship provided one of tho most exciting races of tho evening, and it marked the return to form of Miss P. Taylor, who is one of the most stylish swimmers in tho club wdien she is at her best. She used a nice, smooth stroke, and after being behind with 10yds to go -overhauled Miss C. Lang to win by barely a touch. Over 50yds and 75yds there should be some exciting races between the pair. Miss Lang swam quite a good race, and is still a force to he reckoned with in tho decision of tho championship. Third place went to Miss J. Munro, a young.swimmer who is expected to do well with attention to training. The championship contests will he advanced a further stage next 'l'uesday, but it will probably ho towards the end of Blarch before the diving championships are staged. Following championship races, a water polo practice between picked sides was indulged in, improved form being shown by a number of players. Boyd, L. Pithie, and W. Hamilton aro all playing well, but the club’s greatest lack is a reliable goalkeeper. However, from the contenders lor a place in the A team it should bo possible to find one swimmer who is capable of keeping goal at least moderately well. Goalkeeper is an important position, and an effoiT' should be made at the practices to unearth, a likely-looking goalie. Affleck is a good defensive player, and might just fit tho hill. BRITISH OLYMPIC TRIALS. The final Olympic trials for British swimmers will take place in Blackpool on Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23, and the full Olympic programme will be covered, including diving and water polo. The events have been provisionally arranged for as follows:—On Friday afternoon or evening: Blen—220yds free style, 1,650yds free, 110yds back, springboard diving, and water polo first tie. Ladies: 110yds free, 220yds breast, plain diving. On Saturday morning tho second water polo tie will take place, while at tho afternoon session the final water polo tie and the remaining events will be held. These are:—Bfen: 110yds free, 440yds_ free, 220yds breast, plain and fancy diving; Ladies: 440yds free, 100yds back, and springboard diving. In the races there will be at least four swimmers in each event selected on tho basis of the times done in the preliminary trials. So far as .the actual selection of the British team is concerned, it ivill bo determined mi the results of the final trial, combined with a comparison of the actual time likely to bo done by American and Continental opponents. In other words, the winner of an event at Blackpool will not be sent to Amsterdam unless his (or her) time for tho distance shows that he or she has a reasonable chance of a place in the Olympic contest. In 1924 a full team of three swimmers for each event was sent over to Paris, although many of those sent had no chance of reaching tho final heats, hut this year funds will not allow of this policy being followed, although (according to a Homo critic) the experience gained was well worth the cost.

SAGAR CUP COMPETITION.

Tho annual four-man surf competition for the Sugar Cup was decided by the St. Clair Life Saving and Surf Club last week, and summing up it may be said that one of the teams reached a fair standard, hut generally too many members showed a lack of practice which was to he deplored. Line work and resuscitation should receive more attention, and from the displays given it may be said that st. Clair could field quite a good life-saving team, but until some more stringent test is imposed upon members it can hardly be expected that the standard will show the improvement that is desired. It should be looked upon as a distinction to be associated with a picked life-saving combination, and before a member qualifies to take his place in the picked life-saving teams ho should be the holder of the medallion.

There were no outside clubs represented, but the St. Clair Club provided six teams, two being junior combinations. The latter made quite a respectable showing, their beltmen doing well. Indeed, one of the junior (R. Wilson) was the belfman. securing fastest time, Simpson" being a point behind, C. B. Lewis was third, and C. J. Bl'Lean fourth. Allowance had to be made for the drift of the buoy.

AT‘Lean’s team cave a good all-round display, their drill being smarter than that of the other teams, while their

line work was also good. The winning team comprised C. J. Bl'Lean, J. Lewis, A. Harrod, and A. Knights. If attention is paid to the advice of the club’s instructor and practice is not neglected, there is no reason why a crack life-saving organisation should not be built up at St. Clair. At present many members of the club are doing valuable work, hut the co-operation of all the active life-saving members is needed if the club is. to reach the level that is aimed at it By those controlling its destinies.

OTAGO HARBOR SWIMMING RACE,

Long-distance swimming is popular in all parts of tho dominion, and during the week Blr Tom Batt, a well-known Dunedin sportsman who is shortly leaving to settle in Sydney, called in to make an offer through the writer for a handsome cup, to be competed for annually in a three-mile swimming race on Otago Harbor. Mr J; L. M'lndoo, president of the Otago Centre, was immediately communicated with, and on behalf of the centre has accepted Blr Batt’s very generous offer. The cup itself is a very fine trophy, and will be known as the Mrs Tom Batt Memorial Cup. The race will be contested under similar conditions to those governing the Annette Kellornian Cup race, and will be a handicap event. There is every likelihood of a race for the cup being swum before tho end of the present season, and if possible it might be arranged for the morning of Anniversary Day, March 23. Unfortunately Blr Batt himself will then have left for Sydney, but he will follow with interest the various contests that aro swum for his splendid trophy. DUNEDIN STROKES. Juniors and intermediates predominated in a good muster at the Dunedin Club’s hour at the Municipal Baths on Friday night, and considerable coaching was carried on, Bliss 81. Jepson, the Jady_ crack, looking after a number of junior girls, several of whom are now beginning to show to advantage. Bliss Jepson herself is taking things easily, and it will probably be next season before she does anything in the way of serious swimming. The club has decided to hold another race for junior boys and girls at the baths to-night, and the 100yds breaststroke championship, the final event in the Senior Cup competition, will also be staged. Roy Calder is diving better than over, and H. E. Walker is a good seconder of the New Zealand champion’s effort. I note that a northern writer is picking W. Hicks to beat Calder on the Wellington hoards next season, but he will nave to improve some, for Calder is diving better all the time.

A. BT. Rix, the New Zealand intermediate diving champion, is still training steadily, and his perseverance is such as should be emulated by the junior members of the club, several of whom are trying their skill on tho boards with varying success. A. Rennie is not doing much in the way of diving, but is devoting a fair amount of attention to swimming. He is practising hard at the turns, and this is a feature of Dunedin swimming which is not very satisfactory. It has been suggested to the writer that the various clubs might do something towards improving the position if they staged a, turning competition occasionally. Adeptness at the turns is a big asset to any swimmer, and the Dunedin Club is endeavoring to prevail upon E. J. Dawson to give the younger members some tips in the matter of turning. The ex-Otago champion was very adept at tho turns, and a few pointers from him would ho of great value. Miss M. Fleming has been doing a considerable amount of swimming this season. She is very consistent at training, and deserves to meet with success. A. Perry is very keen to get into action with the water polo team, which he should strengthen considerably. Blee is a promising diver, and on Friday night he executed a good one and a-half somersault standing. He has not a very large repertoire of fancy dives, but is a good plain diver. If he took on a larger range of dives ho would probably do better, for the dives he docs he executes well. ST. CLAIR MURMURS. On Blonday night the St. Clair Club staged another series of club races, tho 220yds championship being swum off. Interest was not as keen as it might have been owing to the absence of C. J. Bl'Lean. who was attending a military camp. Four swiiumerJMaced the starter, but though tho time was slow the race was in the nature of a procession, J. B. Simpson leading all the way to win by 2Uyds. Tho time was 3min lOsec, which would make it appear that the event would have been a gift to Jack Bl'Lean had ho been able to compete. Still, Simpson swam quite well, though lie did ono length on the back-stroke. He is leading for tho club’s championship cup, and should be hard to beat, as he seems bound to collect first or second points in the back-stroke event. Second place went to the High School boy, R. Wilson, who would do well over this distance of he trained for it. J. Swan was third and A. Knights last. Knights is better over the shorter distances, and faded out in the furlong. Next week tho 150yds back-stroke championship will be decided, and a good race should result between Simpson and Stan. Fogg.

Bliss C. Arunclale is one of the best of St. Clair’s lady members. She only needs a little coaching to show to considerable advantage in free-style swimming. She has a good back-stroke, and if she took her swimming seriously w uld be capable of registering some good performances. SPLASHES. The water polo competition for the Donald Stuart Cup will probably bo commenced next Wednesday night, when two games will be played at the Blunicipal Baths. The draw Las not yet been arranged, but Kiwi A will probably meet St. Clair B and Dunedin will engage St. Clair A, Kiwi B having tho bye. Every team will meet every otlu team, and some closely-contested matches should be witnessed during the progress of the competition.

There are few greater swimming enthusiasts in Dunedin that Mr J. L. M'lndoo, presirent of the Otago Centre, and apart from his work in an administrative capacity he is proving his worth in_ other directions. He was the beltmau in one of the teams in the lifesaving competition at St. Clair last Saturday, and is still to be reckoned with as one of the best exponents of breast-stroke swimming in Otago. He is the Otago Centre’s handicapper, and much of the success of the recent national championships was due to his capable leadership, a fact which was commented upon by the New Zealand Council, which congratulated the Otago Centro upon its conduct of the meeting. The Lyall Bay Surf Club, which holdis the Nelson Shield, the coveted lifesaving trophy, further added to its achievements by annexing the

son Memorial Cup at Paekakarjki recently (says the ‘ New Zealand Sportsman’). A record crowd assembled at the beach, and the afternoon was brightened by the attendance of the Levin Baud. After a great display Lyall Bay won the cup from Maranui, who have held it for four years in succession, but in the march past Maranui turned the tables on its rivals by a narrow margin. This club also annexed the novice cup. Says a Taranaki writer:—“ One notes with pleasure the success of the New Zealand lady representatives in Sydney, hut the writer is of the opinion that more benefit would bo clone to New Zealand swimming if two men swimmers, say Dowsett and Lindsay, had been sent.” The above paragraph may give rise to some misconception. Every swimming supporter in New Zealand would like to_ see Lindsay matched against Australia’s best, but this year it was the ladies who were invited, and the New Zealand Council was unable to do more than it has done in furthering the claims of the New Zealand men for a trip to Australia. Perhaps after the Olympic Games it may come. At a Y.M.C.A. carnival in Palmerston North last week Norman Dowsett, 100yds national champion of New Zealand, won the 100yds handicap in 60 2-osec—a good performance. Dowsett’s first meeting with the intermediate crack, W. Cameron, should be productive of a thrilling race. The St. Clair ladies’ life-saving team gave a good display at the beach last Saturday afternoon. Miss C. Macassey wore the belt, and showed herself to be a strong swimmer, using a powerful breast stroke. Miss D. Sampson is another useful member on the line, and Miss M. M'lndoe showed decided promise. The drill was very good, while the paying out of the lino by the ladies was also good. Their keenness is deserving of commendation, and might well be emulated by many of the men gelongiug to the club. The announcement made last week that the Canterbury Centre had decided to institute a campaign for funds was welcome (says the Christchurch ‘Star’). Under the very able guidance of Mr W. S. Burl'ord, it is pretty certain that this campaign will be a successful one, and if it is successful in Canterbury an incentive will bo provided to the other centres to persevere to make up their quota. Wellington is entering on arrangements for holding a big welcomo-home carnival for Miss Miller when she passes through the capital city on her return home, and it is expected that D. P. Lindsay will make a trip north to take part in the carnival. In addition to the Olympic carnival which the Canterbury Centre will hold on March 11, it is quite possible that a further carnival will be hold if arrangements can he made for Miss Miller to appear in tho this city. The suggestion has also been made that, if Misses Stockley and Miller return from Australia via Auckland an Olympic carnival should be promoted in that city to welcome them. In that case it is possible that Lindsay will visit Auckland. *

Willie Francis, a Scottish swimmer, recently defeated Austin Bawlinson, the English champion, over 150yds backstroke, and created a new Scottish record. He won by 2yds in Imin 51 2-ssec, or 2 3-ssec less than his previous best, made last October. It was hoped In would smash the British record time of Imin 48 l-ssec made by ilawlin-. son in 1924, but this is still a Jittlo beyond his powers.

Swimming is still in the boom in Taranaki, and successful carnivals arc continually being held all over the province. The Inglewood Club held a very enjoyable and successful carnival recently. It was undoubtedly a credit to all the officials of that club. Following closely on the Inglewood carnival came the Hawera one, and this was likewise a splendid effort, the officials not sparing themselves to make the event the success that it was. Here again there were teams representing every club in Taranaki (says “ Crawl,” in a Taranaki paper). On Saturday fast the Ladies’ Life Saving Club held its carnival, and highly interesting and exciting races were run off in good time. The novel feature of this carnival was undoubtedly the polo match between Inglewood and Fitzroy. This game gives a splendid finish to any carnival, and should be seriously taken up in Taranaki. Great credit is due to the Inglewood Club for introducing this game. The ladies are to be further complimented on the attendances at their club nights. For reason the club night which was so poorly patronised last year is now most successful, and every Tuesday night forty or fifty members of the Ladies' tipfe WBiuoaifr