SWIMMING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 160, 23 November 1912, Page 7

SWIMMING.

Tod Solomons, the Sydney swimmer, who will pay a visit to New Zealand this season, put up the swim of the day at the Manly carnival recently. He broke tlie first minute of the season, covering the hundred yards in 39 3-osee., a line swim for so early in the season. Solomons has stated that he intends training hard this season, and if he does settle down to hard work he should be hard to beat in the sprint championships. Solomons is one of the best of the craw! stroke in Australia, and many good judges hold the opinion that he would be one of the hardest men in Australasia to boat over 100 yds if he would only train.

It has been stated that Longworth, last year's sprint and distance champion of Australia, will not compete in races until after Christmas. With Longworth out of the way, and Healy, after bis European tour, probably disinclined to train, there will be few swimmers in Sydney capable of extending Kaharamoku if he accepts the invitation to come to Australia.

To earn the coveted title of English champion a swimmer must of necessity win a majority of the seven individual races promoted by the A.S.A. John Gotenby Hatfield, of Middlesbrough, has won five of these events, viz., 220 yds, 440 yds salt water, 500 yds, half-mile, 'and one-mile, so that he has richly earned the title of English champion. In the other event, the 100 yds, he finished a brilliant second, whilst in the long-dis-tance he was absent pwing to a district race clashing. In short, Hatfield has won five and finished second in six of the seven championships. His latest victory proved to be his greatest, for ho won the 220 yds at Walsall in 2min 30 l-ssec., the fastest time ever accomplished by a British swimmer. On two occasions only has the furlong race been won in better time, and, singularly enough, by two Australians, viz., F. C. v. Lane in 1002, and Beaurepaire in 1910. The only man who lias succeeded in winning the whole of the seven English championships in the' same year was ,T. 11. Tyers. , In both 1893 and 1894, the old Osbornite completely swept the decks, from 100 yds to the long distance—a magnificent performance. The nearest ;Xj>i>r.s.u !i I" Uti.'t was in 101(1, what Beaurepaire won. all but the long-dis-lanoe race, from which he was absent.

Opunake Times on or about December , 13. Acceptances at 11 a.m. on day of ' sports. i General.—For correct order of starting see books. Five competitors or no event. The committee hold the right to postpone or alter programme. , A pistol shot will be fired two min- ; utes before each event. Any competitor •not on the mark will be'left. This ; rule will be strictly adhered to. ; All games will be charged 10s each. ; Acceptances must be paid on stated • date, otherwise nominations will be can- ; celled. | For the convenience of the competii tors, Mr. St minors, Lltham, will rec ive | nominations and acceptances. Luncheon provided on the ground. Band in attendance. Member's ticket 5/-. Admission to grounds: Adults 1/s, children 6d. Vehicles, frefc. Horses, od. A GRAND CONCERT AND DANCE Will be held in the hall in the evening. A. T. BRADLEY, Secretary, Rahotu.