TOPICAL TATTLE

Evening Star, Issue 23378, 22 September 1939, Page 4

TOPICAL TATTLE

NEWSY NOTES ON SPORT WORLD'S RECORD SWIM

[By H.P.S.]

Famous International Referee Ousted. Of' interest to New Zealand Rugby Union followers is the news that Mr A. Freethy, famous international referee, had been defeated in an election for the Welsh'Rugby Union Selection Committee- • Mr Freethy had held a seat on the committee for 12 years, but his defeat in a sectional election has created a vacancy on the “ big five.”.- Mr Freethy will be best remembered for his action in giving Cyril Brownlie “marching orders” in the teat between England and New Zealand at Twickenham in 1924, a match witnessed:, by ■ the’Duke of Windsor, then Prince of Wales. World’s Record Swim. What is the world’s record swim, as far as distance is concerned? Most people would probably mumble something about the English Channel. One or two may remember j Charles Zimmyi the legless swimmer who held the North American long-distance record with 147 miles in the Hudson River. The world’s record, however, was put up by Pedro Candiotti in 1934, when he swam 281 miles in the Parana River. This was broken recently when Clarence Giles comnlfted 288 miles, swimming in the Yellowstone River, Montana, from Billinas to Glendive,' It took him 77$ hours, so . •his speed—with the current —was about that of a brisk walk.

Hagen Shows Form. Although now 46 years of age, the well-known golfer. Walter Hagen, still continues to produce glimpses of_ his old form, states an American writer. In a- professional tournament recently he returned a card of 31 for nine holes. He played every hole in par or better,gaining birdies on four of them, and had seven one-putt greens, six in a row. He slumped-to a 39 coming home,; but his 31 was the highlight of the day. Hagen is still the most golfer in America, and always has time to chat with the spectators, no matter how difficult the game. i Too Costly.

The Transvaal Swimming Association has decided to abandon its project to bring the famous American diver, Harold Dutch ” Smith, to South Africa during the coming season (says a South African paper). It was considered that the estimated cost of £250 a week for three weeks was not justified, owing to the risk of rainy weather. The .reigning Olymnic champion, t>uiiy_ Veedt, a Hollander, is at present in Johannesburg, but although a young man, ho has given up competitive diving.

Voce’s' Benefit. Bill Voce, the Notts left-hand bowler, is the youngest professional cricketer to have had a benefit match. Ibis honour fell to him when Notts played Yorkshire recently. Voce was not 31) years old when the match was played. The next youngest to have had benefits ore Hobbs and Hammond, both when they were 31 years _ old. Playing his first county match in 1927, Voce has given a dozen years of excellent service. In his first full season for Notts he took 36 wickets.

Soccer Coach for South Africa. The Southern Transvaal Football Association has, decided to engage an overseas coach for six months during the ir*o season (says a South African paper). Mr Arnold Smith, secretary of the association, stated that the cost was estimated at £4OO. Half a dozen ’ applications, he said, had been received, and Mr G. A. Jenkin, representative of the South African Football Association in London, would be asked to assist in the selection of a man for the position. The position would involve-the coaching and training of players and lectoring to referees, schools, and players. Unusual Relay.

Four athletes, K. H. Bailey, N. W. Griffin, D. G. Brady, and G. R. Hams, took part in a most unusual race across the Atlantic. They were to run nonstop to New York on board the Europa. They ran in relays and started as soon as the ropes were cast off at Southampton. Not to Become Amateur.

Herbert Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire and former England opening bat, has denied a statement appearing in the London papers that he is contemplating turning amateur. “At various times in recent years I have thought of playiuo 1 as an amateur,” he said, “ but lately 1 have not thought about the matter.” It will bo recalled that many years ago, when Sutcliffe was touring South Africa, it was announced by the Yorkshire committee that* he was becoming an amateur and would be taking over the captaincy’ of Yorkshire.

Strictly Amateurs. The Danish gymnasts who were to tour South Africa under the leadership of Niels Bukh are all amateurs in, the strictest sense of the word. When the tour was first agreed upon it was intimated that each member of the team would he entitled to 3s a day during their stav in South Africa. The reply from Niels Bukh was that if the Advisory Council were prepared to spare 3s extra he would prefer to bring two extra men with him, as his team was not permitted to accept financial assistance. Table Tennis in South Africa.

Table tennis, a sport whichhas been making steady progress, is in future to be organised on a national basis, with South African championships (says a South African paper). Tins decision was arrived at at a meeting of direct representatives of the Transvaal, Western Province, and Natal, held in Durban. A South African Table Tennis Union, with headquarters in the Transvaal, was formed.