Swimming.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 17, 27 October 1900, Page 13

Swimming.

The four city clubs (Thorndon, Wellington, Swifts, and the Ladies' Pipitea) combined on Saturday to open the season at the Thorndon Baths. Notwithstanding the unpropitious weather, a large crowd of spectators were present, including G. J. C. Smart, Secretary New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, and Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, and President of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, who, m an appropriate speech, referring to the splendid ad\antages of the sport, declared the season open. Miiiifie's String Band provided an excellent programme of music. The races, which were exceedingly well contested, resulted as follows : Thorndon Club Handicap, 50 yards. — First heat : J. Levinsohn, ssee, 1 ; G. A. Wilkes, lsec, 2; F. Roberts, Bsec, 3; time, 36sec8. Second heat : T. Hamer, 6see. 1 ; H. D. Thomson, 6sec, 2 ; A. J. Styles, 6&ec, 3 ; time, 37sec. Final : Thomson 1, Roberts 2, Levinsohn 3. Hamer also started. Time, 35sec. Swift's Club Handicap, 50 yards.— Firs* heat : W. Churchward, lOsec, 1 ; E. F. Richardson, 9sec, 2 ; E. Millington, llsec, 3 ; time, 39 4-osec. Second heat : P. Blacklock, 7sec 1 ; A. R. Murdoch, 7sec, 2 ; O. Freyberg, ssec, 3 ; time, 39 l-ssec. Final : Blacklock 1, Churchward 2, Murdock 3 ; time, 39 4<ssec. Ladies' Pipitea Club Race., 30 yards.— E. Pointon, ssec, 1 ; J. Gibbs, scratch, 2 ; E. Holmes, 2sec, 3. A. Fife, Y. Tyer, and C. Gibbs also started. Time, 33 3-ss"ec. Wellington Club Handicap, 75 yards. — A. J. Styles, Bsec, 1<; T. A.\Wilkes, 2sec, 2; N. Stone, Bsec, 3. Time, 60 l-ssec. A capital exhibition of high and fancy diving was given by Messrs G. S. Hill, C. Blacklock, T. Ronayne, A. W. Smith, T. Gray, C. Johnson, and A. J. Styles. Messrs T. Gray, Consul for the Wellington District, and T. Ronayne officiated as judges; Mr E. J. Fleming, starter; Mr A. W. Smith, check starter; Mr R. G. Stone, clerk of course ; Mr L. G. Porter, costume steward, and G. Cloake, timekeeper. It is rumoured that the amalgamation between the two centres Christchurch and Auckland, is practically arranged. Mr George Cloake completed his third year on the 14th inst. without having missed a morning swim. Surely a record. The Thorndon Club's Committee spent an enjoyable evening at Dixs Gaiety Company on Friday, 19th inst. Now that the season has commenced, judicious training ought to be started with a view to the summer carnivals. The New Zealand Association meeting is to be held in Christchurch on the 24th.