Swimming.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 23, 8 December 1900, Page 13

Swimming.

The Wellington Club decided its first race (50 yards) for the £3 3s trophy on Wednesday last at the Thorndon Baths. A large number of enthusiasts were present, and were rewarded for their attendance by an excellent race. The whole of the competitors (ten) finished in a bunch, with F. Eoberts (lsec) Ist, T. Gray (ssec) 2nd, and G. A. Wilkes (scratch) 3rd. The winner's time was one of the fastest recorded at the baths for the distance, it being 31 l-sth sees. Messrs Cloake and Smith are to be congratulated on the excellent handicapping. The N.Z. Association has decided that the colony shall be divided into centres, each centre to control the sport in. its district. In conseqnence a meeting of delegates from the local clubs was held a few nights ago with the object of forming the Wellington centre. Mr G. S. Hill occupied the chair, and stated that, in his opinion, the formation of these centres would materially benefit swimming throughout the colony. The following were elected the officers of the Centre for the ensuing year:— Chairman, Mr G. S. Hill ; Secretary, Mr B. Keys ; Treasurer, Mr A. J. Styles. Over a hundred entries have been received by the secretary of the Swifts Club for its carnival, which takes place at the Thorndon Baths on Saturday. The programme, which is a lengthy and attractive one. includes the Ladies' Bracelet event (50 yards), in which about twenty swimmers will participate. Given fine weather, a large crowd of spectators will be present to witness the sports. The Greymouth Club has affiliated with the N.Z. Association. "Natator," in the Sydney Referee, speaking of the Legion of Heroism instituted by Mr R. W. St. Clair and other officials of the N.Z.A.S.A., says it is a capital idea, and something the New South Wales Association should have gone in for long ago. The writer recommends that body to follow in the wake of the New Zealand one, thereby gaining all the prominence it yearns for, and a far better claim than it now possessess upon the sympathy and support of the community. The Auckland Club has agreed to send a requisition to the parent body that, after this season, all competitors for championship honours must hold certificates as proficients in the knowledge of life saving. It is probable that test races will be ai ranged by this club to choose representatives to compete at the N.Z. Championships to be held in Cliristchuvch ne\:t month.