LADIES’ SWIMMING MATCHES.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 601, 23 May 1876, Page 3

LADIES’ SWIMMING MATCHES.

A novel entertainment was given lately, at the City Baths, Adelaide (records the A . Register), by the young ladies belonging to Miss A. Bastard’s swimming-class, under the patronage of Mrs W. Morgan and Mrs It. S Fowler, the former of whom presided. There was a large attendance, solely, of course, of ladies, all available space being tilled. The sports consisted of breast and side swimming, floating and diving by pupils, while Miss Ba-t.vd, the teacher, gratified the spectators with a display of natatory gymnastics. For the first race, two lengths of the bath, there were three entries. 1c was well contested, the winner coming in about four feet ahead. In the second match, one length of the bath, there were only two competitors, and they came in a dead heat. The next contest, described as a “ steamboat race,” was very exciting and amusing. Four young ladies competed in this affair, in which there was also a dead heat, the two foremost coming in about three feet in advance of the other two, who weie close together. The fourth on the or gramme was a lifebuoy race. Two diminutive pupils in lihbuoys, having reins attached to each aim, held by two of the older pupils, also in the water, were matched together, and acquitted themselves with great credit Miss Bustard then went through a variety of evolutions in the water with perfect ease and freedom, showing that she was corap’cle mistress of her ait. After an interval of ten minut the only prize competed for, one given by Mrs Fowler, was striven al’ltr

UMla Hiiuu two li'itlo gir's who swam (he lifebuoy race, Misses Elia and Minni; Daniels. The distance was one length of the bath, and 101 in won by several feet, the race being exceedingly good. The next race was by three of the fair swimmers on the back vviih the feet tied, and was well won by quite a third of the distance. An entertaining

diving match followed, in which four of them tiimbled in and darted about under the water like res;less fish. Miss Bastard and one (f her pupils here performed in imitation of dog swimming ; and after a duck hunt, in which three of the young ladies chased and dived after a fourth until tney caught her,

Miss Dastard and “tie duck” closed the proceedings with fancy swimming, which was much admired. At intervals a lady played various s lections of music.