WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 212, 11 January 1865, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

The Printers’ Annivesart.— The staffs of the Independent aud the Advertiser, in accordance with the previously arranged plan, sat down to dinner at Barrett’s Hotel on Saturday evening, the last of the old year. There was a very large attendance of the members of the traded and the chair was filled by Er. T. McKenzie, the vice being occupied by Mr. E. Bull. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been disposed of, the healths of the respective establishments were pledged in bumpers, and drank amidst loud cheers. Complimentary and congratulatory speeches followed one another in quick succession, and the entertainment was interspersed with some capital songs. The party-broke up shortly after ten o’clock, each one pleased with the style in which they had spent the evening, and heartily wishing that they might meet again next year under the same happy auspices.— Wellington Advertiser. How xo Become a Good Swimmer.—Now that facilities have been afforded by the establishment of baths by Messrs. Standwell aud Downes for all persons desirous of mastering the useful art of swimming, there is really no excuse why the large proportion of the male inhabitants should not become proficient before the close of the oresent season. For the especial benefit of all those who intend to try, we publish in another column the recommendations to this end given by the celebrated Dr. Franklyn, and which, if followed with a little—a very little—perseverance by the beginner, will enable in a few trials a person to swim, at all events, sufficiently well to be able to save life under ordinary circumstances. Some years ago we devoted much time and careful study to the acquirement of the art of swimming, and from personal experience we go further than Dr. Franklyn, and would abolish corks, bladders, aud belts altogether for the use of the beginner. There is only one way in which they should be used, via., after having, so shortened the connecting band as to enable the learner tp obtain the full power and buoyancy by placing the hands upon them the body can be thrown into a horizontal position, and the beginner, thus supported, will be enabled to strike with the legs. Once he can succeed in doing this so as to feel that power is obtained, and that progress is made in the water, the supports can be thrown on one side, and with a little confidence the beginner will soon become expert. But there is another, and, perhaps, a more simple plan for doing this. Instead of using the supports in the manner described, dissard them altogether, and pursue the same plan with the grasp of a beam or rope, and the same results will follow. The most complete success will reward the adoption of this method if it is adhered to. Any endeavour to swim too soon, however, should be carefully avoided, as it tends to make the learner unnecessarily timid and frightened of the water, and the result is seldom or over satisfactory. Confidence, and a sort of free and easy action in the water is absolutely necessary to make a good swimmer, and we observe that it is the great fault with the largo proportion of those who patronize the bathing establishment, moat of whom can swim fairly enough now, but would soon become accomplished in the art (if art, indeed, it can be called) if they could do away with the stiff and constrained action of the muscles and the body. However, to those who are anxious to master the difficulty we recommend a persual of Dr. Franklyn’s opinions upon the subject.