SWIMMING MATCHES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2480, 18 March 1882, Page 3

SWIMMING MATCHES.

The annual swimming contests of the West Christchurch schools took place yesterday in the school baths. Mr Hawley, of the committee, was present, and alto Mr Francis, who not only acted as judge, but also provided a handsome silver scarf pin for the best all-round swimmer. Mr Cumming, the head master, provided the prizes, which consisted of color boxes, pocket books, compass boxes, knives, &a., &3.; and Mr J. B. Wilkinson, second master, gave a prize for diving. Most of the events were very closely contested, and received great applause from about a hundred of the upper boys, who were admitted to the bath. The following is the list: — First Eace Open to school ; distance, twolengths, in three heats. First heat, in two sets. First set. Allender I Lavender ... ... ... ... 2 Watson 3 Pengelly 4 Second set. Williams and Fox, Batten 3 Teape 4 AUender, Lavender, and Fox were at scratch ; 'illiams had a plunge start. The first three in each set competed in the second heat, in two lots. First set. Allender 1 Fox 2 Second set. Lavender 1 Batten ... ... ... ... 2 The final heat resulted as follows Fox 1 Allender 2 Lavender ... ... ... ... 3 Batten 4 Second Eace—Fcr swimmers of two seasons ; distance two lengths. Merrie 1 Miller I ... 2 Miller 11. and Cassidy came third and fourth. Third Eace For swimmers of one season ; distance ene length. First set. Doran ... I Walker and Currie ... ... 2 Second set. Murray ... ... ... ... 1 Bowie ... ... ... ... 2 Mills 3 Evans came ionrth in the first set. A Late Comers’ Eace came next, in which Cooke took first place and Leach second. Fourth Event —Long distance diving. Fox, 75ft 1 Batttn, 60ft ... 2 Four others competed, Eowe and Watson making good dives. Fifth Event —Diving for plates. Mr Francis distributed the twelve plates, and the entries had one dive each. Fox, 11 plates ... ... ... 1 Eowe and Allender, 7 plates ... 2 Eowe secured second place by 5 against 4. Five others entered. Fox’s diving was greatly applauded. Sixth Event —Consolation race, the longeit time being the winner ; distance one length. Teape ... ... ... ... I Miller I 2 Mr Francis expressed himself very pleased with the boys’ swimming, and specially commended Fox, to whom he awarded his prize, and he then announced that he would next year give a silver medal to the best swimmer attending the school. The boys then finished by giving three good cheers to Mr Francis, and three to Mr Gumming, and one to Mr Wilkinson, who had acted as handicapper and starter.