SWIMMING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19996, 13 January 1927, Page 4

SWIMMING.

Bx Neptuke. The weather during the week-end was favourable for swimmers .and Sunday saw a good muster at bt. (Jlair, both at the baths and in the surf. The St. Clair LifeSaving Club is coming ahead fast, and with a good membership, is developing into an institution of which the seaside suburb can be . justly proud. Apparently Otago is not the only province whose swimming centre is in financial difficulties os may be judged by the following extract from the (Jhristchuich Sun: “The Canterbury Swimming Centre” (the writer states) “is struggling in deep water. Money is needed urgently to send the Canterbury team to Auckland this season for the New Zealand championships, and all who are interested in one of the best sports in the world are urged to give a helping hand.” A ruling that provoked considerable controversy was given at the carnival held by the Holensville Swimming Club during Christmas week by one of the officials (states an exchange). He ruled that all competitors had to finish a race by touching the top of the bath. The result of this was that in the ladies’ race one competitor finished first by touching the gutter —the usual place for a finishing touch — and t£he other swimmer managed to touch the top of the bath. The decision was given in favour of the latter. There were signs of dissension, and after a discussion with the weight of opinion against the ruling, the official altered his decision. The most sporting act was that of a lady who was placed first. She stood down in favour of the lady who was practically disqualified because of the ruling. It has been suggested under the circumstances a first prize might be given to each of the ladies. Though it was good of the Christchurch City Council to allow the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Swimming Association use of the Tepid Baths at half the usual rental for its carnival on January 13 (states the Christchurch Sun), it would have been sporting of the council to give free use of the haths, seeing that the centre is endeavouring to raise funds to send a Canterbury representative team to the New Zealand swimming championships. A representative sporting team of any sort is an advertiseemnt for the province and it can be said truly of Canterbury teams in every sport that they are a really good advertisement for Canterbury and Christchurch. Wa would like to see the municipal authorities giving every possible assistance to sports, for good sportsmen make fine citizens W. Bachach, the Illinois Club’s famous coach, has discovered another probable world-beater (Weston Kimball), who, in a trial in the Illinois 20 yards pool, recently did the 100 yards in 53 l-ssec. Bachrach says that Kimball will surprise everyone when he knocks the rough edges off him, for he accomplished his 53 l-ssec effort practically without preparation. Commenting on the form of the competitors in the forthcoming Auckland provincial championships a northern writer states that A. E. Baird will probably contest the 220yds and 44Qyds. Baird may be justly regarded as a certainty. He already holds the quarter-mile record, which will be very hard to beat, but his aim is to lower the 220yds time. He should succeed before the season ends. By reason of his dead-heat with Pelham last time Adamson should be' second in the 220yds, with Enwright and Cunnold again disputing third place. Over the longer journey the two last-mentioned are likely to supersede Adamson. Fairgray should have a sweeping victory in the backstroke championship. Regarding Bridson, the same writer goes on to sav that in the intermediate devision it is not a question of who will win, but of what Bridson will win by and what will be his time for the 100yds, 220yds, and 440yds. The giant schoolboy v/ould be a formidable opponent for Baird. However, he has no intention of taking part in the open championships and so forfeiting his intermediate status and his last chance of putting up extraordinary records. He has already improved upon the 200yds time in a handicap, but 440yds is his best distance. There is quite a stir in swimming circles just at the present time (says the Auckland Star), and an undercurrent of excitement for what the next few weeks will hold. Auckland is preparing to open the centre championships, which are to be followed by the New Zealand championships—the greatest meeting of the year. According to all reports there seems to be little doubt that Auckland will retain possession of the Yaldhurst Shield, but there is no knowing what the other centres are sending along. But, anyhow, it will be the best man who wins every time. As swimmers go (says the New Zealand Herald), Enwright and Welson are veterans and two of the oldest identies in New Zealand competitive swimming; but so keen is their love of sport that they refuse to take a buck scat. The Waitemata Club’s last quarter-mile handicap saw tho two enthusiasts on the starting board as keen as ever. Enwright went right away from the rest of the field, and won easily, while Welson, taking his time when there was no need to hurry, swam into third place. Miss Doris Magee, who swam in Dunedin recently, has evidently struck form since her return to Auckland as on Saturday last she broke Miss Farquhar’s intermediate record for the ICO yards (69 1-osec) by l-ssec. It is unfortunate that as the meeting was not held under the ouspices of the Auckland Centre the record cannot be recognised officially. Despite the prediction that “Boy” Charlton would not “come back” and that his absence from swimming for the past few years would militate against his chances in competition with the Japanese, Takaishi, the Australian has made a most decided “come back.” His time for the halfmile in last Saturday's race (lOmin 32sec) should stand for many years, for there does not at present appear to be a swimmer in view who is capable of equalling it. By the brief account of the race which is to hand. Charlton did not seem to be unduly distressed by his splendid effort, and although Takaishi had a lead at the 330 yards mark, the Australian champion forged ahead to win by 65 yards. Truly a great performance. Speaking of Charlton’s chances, the Sydney Daily Telegraph commented as follows a week before the great race-“ There appears to be little doubt- that the Japanese swimmers have not come to Australia with false reputations. In fact, on tho times already recorded by the visitors—particularly Takaishi—“Boy” Charlton, Australia’s hope, will have to show ever greater speed than he did against Arne Borg. Charlton is at present in training, and reports state that ho is fast reaching his best form. Should he reach the pinnacle he attained during the lost Olympic Games, some great races should be witnessed. There is no reason why Charlton should not eclipse his previous best performances, for he is only a youngster, and the spell should have done him little—if any—harm.” “Trident,” of the Sydney Referee, had the following to say:—“Whispers from the Village (Manly) say that ‘Boy’ recently did a smin 20-ec swim over the 440 yards. I doubt if Charlton has ever really been seen at his best. Ha is a super-swimmer, and Takaishi will probably realise this after the 880 yards event. Charllon is more like a machine than a man in the water, for he batters his way through in irresistible fashion, and whatever pace is set will suit him.” Two very sound prophecies. Takaishi and Saito are both commercial students at the Tokio University, and have expressed a desire to visit some of the large industrial concerns during their, stay in Australia. Typical of their race, . these Japanese championships are small men, also they are both young. Takaishi is 23 years of age and weighs lOst 71b, and his companion, who is three years younger, weighs 71h less.