SWIMMING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 211, 12 October 1909, Page 4

SWIMMING.

(By "Splodge") By this time most oi the clubs have held' their annual meetings and are maKin« out their programmes for the season. The Hawera Club held its meeting on the Ist instant, and elected its chief ollieers as follows:—President, Mr. J Brunette (an old enthusiast); club captain, Mr. J. L. Anderson; deputy captain, Mr. \\. -McNiven; secretary, Mr. E. Fodeu, sen.; assistant secretary, Mr. W. J. Bright; committee, Messrs. A. Jieaa, Warcup, IV. J. Mahoney, Hunter, and t. Fodeu.

In W. .1. Mahoney the Hawera""Clu:> has as a member of its committee an ex-eaptain of the Waiiganui Club, and one of the best and most enthusiastic , followers of the sport it lias been my lot to meet. Those who attended t'ne New Zealand championship meeting held at Wangamii about live years ago, or the Australasian championship meeting iield there a few years previously, would all remember old'Bill Mahoney. Reading the "Australasian" the other day, I noticed that England had beaten Wales this season at water polo by 16 goals to nil. This is something for local swimmers to ponder over. Six to nit was the biggest victory the East Enders secured from the West End last year; so cheer up, West. Of course, at Home they play, I believe, two minutes long.'r each spell than we do here, for the w:tt-?r is generally wanner than we get it as a rule, and the players can stand it. By the way, 1 noticed the local clu'.> hasn't elected any polo committee or referee. Well, of course, it is early yet. and a competent referee doesn r t grow on every rosebush. Not that I wish to cast any aspersion on the gentleman who controlled the games last year; tar from it. 1 believe his motives are of the highest. Still, to resume, I hope to see our club retain the West Coast premiership, and also, if possible, be represented at the New Zealand championships. Another branch of ihe sport that could be cultivated more here is diving, for good diving always appeals to the spectators. In New South Wales they go in for it a lot. In Sydney they havs what I tiiink they call the Swallow Club, who give exhibitions at most of their sports meetings. In A'ietoria tliey aw trying this year to work up this branch more. May their example be followed elsewhere.

I hear the local club is losing the services of its secretary, A. C. Maxwell, a most obliging and hard-working official, whom it can ill afford to lose. He lias received inarching orders, and his place will not, perhaps, he easy to fill; On 14th August the swim through London, a distance of 15 miles, took place, and attracted a large number ol competitors, including, eight lady swimmers. The day was a perfect one, and the water was at 72 degrees, so that everything was favorable. 11. Taylor, of Chadderton Swimming Club, took Ue lead after the first mile, and won b/ about six minutes from J. A. Jervis in 3hr 2Smin 3Ssec, with Kearslcy third. The first lady to finish was Mies Shipley, who occupied thirteenth place. The same day the English quartermile championship was swum, and resulted in n hollow win for T. S. Battersby, who had previously won the mile ami the lulf-mije championships. Talking of quarter-mile races brings one in mind of C. M. Daniels, the present world's sprint champion. I noted that he made his swimming debut this year by winning the 440 yards National Amuteur Athletic Union Championship in August easily in the fast time of omin 57 4lsscc, which is only 2 2-osee outside the world's record. If present foryi g0;..? for anything, he may smash that record before the season is Out.