SWIMMING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1290, 20 November 1911, Page 2

SWIMMING.

OFENING OF THE SEASON. Tho swimming season, which has been unolliciatly open for somo weeks past, received oilicinl sanction on Saturday, when (he Wellington Centre of the New Zealand A.S.A. formally opened the season at tho To Aro baths. His Worship tile Mayor hud been asked to officiate at the opening ceremonv, but he sent Ilia excuses, and the duly fell to Mr. T. ltona t vne, president of the centre. Tho opening ceremony was nf a truly orthodox character. The president, arrayed in bathing costume, strode out 011 to ouo of tho diving boards. After consulting a few rough notes which 110 carriod, 110 proceeded to open the season. He shivered somewhat in his light clothing, but informed his auditors that it gave him gloat pleasure to perform the opening ceremony. Mr. Ronayno then enlarged on the benefits to be derived from tho sport, and tho facilities placed at hand by the erection of the 'l'e Aro baths. As to the Thorndon baths, they could not, 113 said, expect tho council to do much itt that direction, as the lease of this quarter had only some three or four years to run. In course of time it would bo necessary to shift these ,baths, owing to the reclamation and other works which wero being carried out in their vicinity. As a matter of fact, the water nt Thoriidon was now so low that one had to bo careful how lie dived into it. Without care a mouthful of mud would probably he the reword. A popular cry, said Mr. lionavne, was "Young man, go on tho land.' Ho would revise this, and say: "Younjj man, learn to swim, and keep swimming." Referring to the question of providing salt water baths, Mr. Ronayno said tho Wellington City Council had millions of gallons of hot water going to waste from the dcstructor, tho powerhouse, etc., which might be utilisad for providing warm water baths. (Hear, hear.) Everybody would, with such baths, lie able to bathe all the year round—invalids and athletes. He understood tbnt such baths in Cliristchurch were, a great success, and were patronised all the year round. This, lie thought, was a matter the City Council might seriously consider. (Hear, hear.) After remarking 011 tho work done by tho Wellington Centre 011 behalf of tho'sport, the president opened tho season in .1 maimer which appealed to tho swimmers present. Standing on the outer edgo of the springboard, ho said: "When I hit tho water, gentlemen, tho season will bo open. Thereupon the president faced his audience, and, turning a neat back somersault, "hit the water" with a minimum of splash, and tile season was opened amidst the cheers of the onlookers. It was a novel and altogether successful opening. A series of races were thcu got off, the results licinj? as under:— 50yds. handicap— First heat: H. Jenkinson, osec., I: A. Shearer, Ssee., 2; JT. K. Johnston, B<oe.. 3. Also started: E. Vaneo, 12see.; W. Ross, Osec.: A. A. Somerville, 7sec.; IC. D. Russell, Vsec.; W. Q. Mornoth, "see. Time, 32sce. Second hoot: 0. Fot'lham, 2sec., 1; A. M'Nab, Usee., 2; G. Levy, 'tscc.,.3. Also started: G. Dent, 4 t ee.: A. I). Lain*, n?ce.; 11. Little, Ssee.s H. Silver, 3sec.; R. Heal v. lsec.: C. Brico, scr. Time, 28 2-!) sec. Final: M'Nnb, li Fordham, 2; Jcnkinson, 3. Time, 29 3-s'e.C. JenUinson swam particularly well in his heat, but l'crdham, who won comfortably in the second heat, looked to have tho final to himself on times. In the swim olf, however, ho did not do as well as in the heat, and although 110 swam well, he had to be content with second place, M'Nnb getting homo with a yard to spare. 50yds. junior handicap—S. llenrys, 15sec., 1; A. Newton. 2scc.. 2; V. Wise, 2sec., 3. Time. 38 2-osoe. Tho handientipor under-rated the capabilities of tho limit man, who won as he liked without the least OIIOI+. inOyds. liandicati—B. O'Neill, "sec., li O. Bricc, scr.. 2: H. Capper, fisec., 3. Also started: 11. Hcalv, 'Jsec.: G. Dent. lOsec.; li. A. Newton, llscc.: S. Murrell, 7sec.; A. D. Laing, 7sec. Time, TO 1-osec. Tho winner started strongly, and maintained, his trait throughout, stalling off a strong challengo by Brico in tho last stages of the journey. Bricc appeared to take things rather too leisurely in tho first 50yds., but he cracked on the pace over tho final stretch.