NEW ZEALAND SWIMMERS

Evening Star, Issue 19799, 24 February 1928, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND SWIMMERS

GREAT PRAISE FOR MISS MILLER ONE OF WORLD'S BEST ! A A Sydney paper to hand V'S great praise for the New Zealand lady swimmers Miss Kathleen Miller and Miss Ena Stockley, who made their first appearance in Sydney. New Zealand’s champion mermaids Kathleen Miller and Ena Stockley proved themselves magnificent swimmers at the Domain Baths by defeating the cream of New South Wales girl swimmers over 440yds and 100yds State championships (says the Sydney paper). Kathleen Miller, in defeating by the barest of touches Australian champion Edna Davey in 6min 0 9-lOsec, swam faster than any mermaid Australia has seen with the exception of Ifanny Durack, who, in the same hath in 1017, established a then world’s record, which was half k second taster. It was a magnificent struggle. Edna. Davey turned first at 110yds in 79 4-ssce, apd increasing tier advantage turned into the last lap a length ahead of the New Zealand champion. Down the last lap Miss Miller held the advantage by having ‘‘the look” on Miss Davey. She gradually wiped out the 3yds lead, and 30yds from homo_ the girls were level. Straining every fibre, the two champions raced lor the finish, Miss Miller gaining the verdict by the touch. It was remarkable that, although Edna Davey was on the blind side, ,sho never once, took a look to see where Miss Miller was. This oversight probably cost her the race. Times of Lho other girls were; Betty Taw, timiu 19 4-sscc; Joan Cocks, (mun •Jusec; Marjorie Shade, Omni 32see. How good Miss Miller's time is may bo judged from the times oi other champions who have visited us: BthcJda. Bleibtrey (U'.S.A.i, Omiu 27see; Pm Pago (N.Z.), Omni 30 L-ssec; Clwitha bliand (N.Z.), Omiu 9 1- Mariechen Wchselau (U.S.A.), Omiu 11 2-sscc. Claire Couldwcll’s best tune was Omiu 0 3-ssec. Martin* Norclius, Olympic 400 metres champion, won her laurels at Paris in Omni 2 2- —SU metres laps with seven turns. Miss Norelius’s world’s record for 440yds is smm 53 2-ssee, made over 25yds laps (seventeen turns). It will bo seen, if the gain at eaeli turn is assessed at Isee, that at the rate they swam last Saturday Australasian girls would have registered around 6mia 59sec in a 50 metres bath, and omiu 49see in a 25yds pool—both better performances than those of Miss Norelius.

Ena Stockley, a vastly improved swimmer since she last visited Australia two seasons ago, easily outswam tho New South Wales stars Jean Cocks, Betty Taw. Ettic Robertson, Violet Armstrong, and Thora Dennis. As tho ‘ Guardian ’ predicted, she had to swim faster than sho has done for years to outstrip them. Miss Stockley, well ahead at oUyds, finished nearly syds in front of Jean Cocks, Betty Taw, ami Cttio Robertson, whom the lady judges placed thus, in (35 l-ssec—l-ssec outside Emmy Durack’s Australian-born best, and I J-ssec slower than Ethclda Blcibtrcy’s Australian record, put up in tho same event in 1921. Like the Misses Miller and Dave.v, Miss Stockley's effort proves that- she is now among the world's best over 100yds. .Miss Stockley’s win was unquestioned, but the placing of the second, third, and fourth girls M|is undoubtedly incorrect. -Mr J. Dexter, A.S.A. treasurer and judge, tuned Violet Armstrong us the second girl to finish. Les. Duff, lion, secretary of tho A.S.A., also an official timekeeper, declares that Miss Armstrong finished at least third. Mr and Mrs Cocks, Joan’s parents, declare that the finish between Jean and Violet Armstrong was so close that they were not prepared to say which of the girls was first to touch, and had to await the judge’s decision. Yet. to the amazement of all. Miss Armstrong was not even placed fourth. It was a most regrettable incident, and steps should bo immediately taken to prevent its recurrence.