SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 126, 14 February 1918, Page 3

SWIMMING

) SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP TESTS. Swimming in Wellington is in the ascendant. Kight through the school holidays the beaches within and with- | out the harbour have been very well patronised, whilst the return from the municipal baths should bo very good. Tho council has thrown open the Te Aro Baths free for school children on four days in the week—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday—oetwoen school hours and 4.45 p.m. The children are taking full advantage of tho concession. On Tuesday afternoon the rush was so great that the caretaker (Mr. J. Calnan) had reluctantly to refuse admission to some of the little girls owing to the ladies' baths being already overcrowded, whilst there must have been about 1500 boys in the men's baths. Mr. T. Shields attended the ladies' baths, and tutored large classes of youngsters, who showed the keenest desire to learn the natatorial art. This afternoon will be a gala day at the Te Aro Baths, as the district schools" championships will be decided. The winners will be (the Wellington Centre's representatives at the New Zealand schools' championship meeting to be held. at Wangauui on February 21 and 23. The girls' races, restricted to those under 14 years (or who have passed their fourteenth year since October 1 last), will consist of 25 yards, 50 .yards, 75 yards, and 100 yards events, whilst the boys will race over the 50 yards, 100 yards, and 150 yards' distances. •' The centre's intermediate championship races will also be held tliis afternoon. _ These are restricted to boys and girls under 17 (or who have attained that age since October 1). The winners are to figure in the New Zealand championship races to be held at Wanganui.