SWIMMING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 973, 14 November 1910, Page 6

SWIMMING.

OPENING OP THE SEASON. : On . Saturday afternoon, ' at ;Te Art baths, his Worship the'- Mayor "(Mr:, T. M. Wilford) declared the swimming season open. ' It was a' fine day for the sport, and there was a'fairly large muster of swimmers and spectators, those present including Sir George M'Lean, M.L.C. In a brief speech, the Mayor said it afforded him much pleasure to open the season, at what must be one of the. finest baths in the Southern Hemisphere. He was only too glad to do anything he could to encourage swimming, because he'recognised it as one of tha healthiest of exercises. Everyone should know how to swim. The majority of young men did cultivate the art nowadays, and he hoped they would always be very willing to assist the learners.. His first experience in swimming had been when he was thrown into the Hutt River as a boy, and told to get but the best way he could.. He did get out somehow, and after that it was much easier. Continuing, his Worship commented on the fact that there had never been a real champion among New Zealand swimmers,, and yet the climate seemed admirably adapted for swimming. He hoped that before long the Dominion would produce a swimmer that would be the equal of the best Australia had produced. In conclusion, he said he believed that swimmers would find the City Council pleased to meet them in any' reasonable matter where the- advancement of the sport was in- question.-. After three cheers had been given for his Worship, a short programme of races was commenced. The following were the results:—

50 Yards Handicap.—First heat: H. Silver, Bsec, 1; C. Murray, lOsec, 2; W. Macgregor, 7sec, 3. Also started: W. Hill, 4sec; G. Bruce, ssec.; E..S. Forne, ssec.; G. Neal, 7sec.; E. Donovan, lOsec. Time, 33 2-ssec. Second heat: J. Stratford, 3sec, .1; F. Roberts, scr., 2; H. Little, 2sec, 3. Also started: R. Nelson, lsec; T. M'Lean, 4sec.; P. Wilton,' 4sec; and H. Mtillins, 4sec. Time, 30 2-osec! Final: Murray, 1; Silver, 2; Stratford, 3. Time,. 57 Msec.

50 Yards Boys' Handicap.—A. Crowther, 3sec.,' 1; S. Styles, 2sec, 2; H. Silver, 6sec, 3. Also started: J. Robinson, scr.] W. Ward, ssec.; G. Ward, 7scc; H. Petherick, 7sec.; and C. 'Post, 9sec. Won easily. A close finish for second place. Time, 33sec. . . 100 Yards Handicap.—J. Gosling, 20sec, 1; E. Levy" lOsec. 2; W. Wilson, Bscc, 3. Also started: I?.. Healy, scr.; S. A. Murtell, 6sec.; K. Russell, 14sec; and.H. K. Johnston, 20sec. This was an excellent race, and the result was in doubt till the last, few yards. A close finish between the placed nut, with Healy a yard away fourth. Time, 81 2-ssec.