SWIMMING MATCHES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4987, 17 March 1877, Page 3

SWIMMING MATCHES.

The swimming matches to be held at tho Thorndon Baths this afternoon promise to be a decided success. Numerous entries have been received for most of the events, and the competitors will include all tho best swimmers in Wellington. There are seventeen in the 600yds handicap, for which Luke (who is placed at scratch) has to give his opponents starts' varying from 30secs, to SOsecs, The handicappers experienced a good deal of difficulty in adjusting the time allowances, as it was impossible to get information respecting the quality of some new men, who accordingly in two or three instances had to be considered os dark horses, and have not been treated as leniently as might otherwise have been _ the case, Geary, Perableton, and Crocker, sailors belonging to H.M.S. Sappho, are said to be really first-rate swimmers, and Geary, who receives SOsecs. start in the handicap, is thought to have an excellant chance of winning the chief prize. The first race will he started at half-past three, the handicap at five o’clock, and the sports will conclude at six o’clock. As eleven events have to be got off in two and a half hours, the spectators will constantly have something to engage their attention. Each race will be started punctually at the time mentioned In the programme. During the afternoon there will bo a match between a man and a dog, a trial of speed which will prove interesting. Mr, Luke will give some practical illustrations of various ways of rescuing a man who is in danger of drawing, and people may gain some

useful hints from him. .The north side of the baths will be reserved as' dressing-rooms for. 'the.competitors., ; ' 1 The following are the entries:— HANDICAP, 600 YARDS. J. Luke, scratch A, G. Withers, 30 seconds \V. OantUn.'SO seconds J. Geary, SO seconds ■ W. Masters, 40 seconds Miles J. Knubley, 45 secs C. Crocker, 45 seconds Wm. James, 65 seconds Jas; Smith, 55 seconds ,W. A. Nelson, 65 seconds A. McLean, 65 seconds- Harry E. Nicholls, 65 secs . J:-Donner, 66 seconds Edward Butts, 80 seconds Henry Turner, SOseconds A. Millon, 80 seconds John Taylor, 80 seconds Geo Noble Gair, I H andlcappers. , • Chas. M. Ckombie, / • 75 yards' - . W. Masters Miles J. Knubley C. Crocker Hy. Turner A. O. Withers . Joseph Pembleton J. Geary W, James 76 YARDS, ON THE BACK. John Dormer ■ W. Gaudin Mile* J. Knubley J. G«W ' Jas. Smith A,. G. Withers RUNNING HEADER. John Dormer W. A. Nelson A. O. Withers J. Luke LONG DIVE. W. A. Nelson Hy-Turner r Edward Butts A. G. Withers Joseph Pembleton flwniMivn AND FLOATING WITH HANDS. AND LEGS' TIED. < ' W. A. Nelson J. Luke C. M. Crombie : ‘ ■ BOYS UNDER -18 YEARS, 160 YARDS. A. B. Rowlands Chas. Crocker W Wylie Chas. Carpenter John Taylor George Butts BOYS' UNDER 16 YEARS, 75 YARDS, A. B. Rowlands George Butts Chas. Carpenter P. Frankel BOYS UNDER 11 YEARS. Thomas putts Richard Carpenter RUNNING HEADER, BOYS UNDER 18. A. B. Rowlands Edward Butts W. Wylie : C. Carpenter George Butts ■ • LONG DIVE, BOYS UNDER 15. A. B, Rowlands George Butts Chas. Carpenter P. Frankel W. Murphy