SWIMMING MATCHES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4903, 8 December 1876, Page 3

SWIMMING MATCHES.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —I would like to make a few comments rc the Athletic Club swimming matches, held at the Thorndon Baths last Saturday. There is a mistaken idea prevalent in Wellington that swimming matches are unfit for or should nut be witnessed by ladies, which I think ought to be dispelled. In England, on the Continent, in fact anywhere in Europe, swimming matches are patronised by ladies, the swimmers never wearing anything more than the ordinary drawers. The first swimming matches that were held here was last year, at the opening of the Thorndon Baths, when there was a good attendance of ladies. But the arrangements were not earned out as well as they might have been. The swimmers undressing in the rooms around the platform, and brushing past all the spectators, was certainly not right, and all starting and waiting on the starting planks about two feet from the spectators. But the Athletic Club went to the expense of chartering a barge for the competitors to undress in, besides compelling them to wear knee drawers and jerseys, which was quite superfluous. The competitors walked from the barge to the starting platform, about 75yds. from the ladies and bulk of spectators, then, swimming down, finished at the starting place ; or, if a race of 75yds., a boat accompanied them down, and took them back again. The matches were managed very well by the club ; the swimming was good, although the swimmers were hampered with jerseys, &c., and a really pleasant and interesting afternoon was spent by all persons present. Hoping this will have some effect in making the swimming matches more generally patronised, I am &c., Spectator. December 5.