SWIMMING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 194, 25 November 1910, Page 7

SWIMMING.

(By "Splodge.") The committee of the N.P.A.S.C. met on Saturday night for the first time this season. It was resolved that the Clm> assist Mr. Tisch in his suggestion to have an opening n'ight at the baths, in about a week or ten uays' time, tthe Club to put on a Polo match, the captain's team against the secretary's, ana also a relay race. It was thought that the Club might have put on a sports meeting or or about tne 14th of next month when, if the warm weather continues, swimmers would be getting into form.

The water polo and relay race competition will be continued this year, three teams as last season competing, Beach, East End and West End. It was decided to get one round off before Xmas. Tne secretary received a wire from Wanganui that the visit of the Manly Surf Bathing Club's crew is being put on until next year. I understand that the Waitemata (Auckland) Club had guaranteed £6O, Wanganui £4O, and New Plymouth £3O, but that the other places were still considering the matter. The Club has put on record its hearty appreciation of the gentlemen who have so readily offered the guarantee, ana wishes to thank them all therefor. It was also resolved that an effort be made to inaugurate a polo and relay race competition between the various schools, and to that end a sub-committee was set up to see the masters of the schools, and to invite them to meet the committee next Saturday evening to go into the matter. The ' question of finance m this matter was brought up, as some sort of challenge shield or cup will have to be obtained if the competition be carried out. To start the ball rolling, I don't mind contributing a modest 10s to any fund to purchase a trophy if the competition be arranged. Any scheme of encouraging the boys is well worthy of support.

The Club wishes to thank Mr. W. L. Newman and Mr. G. Tisch for donations of £1 each towards the Club's funds. In a recent Sydney Referee I notice an article by Mr. Fred Cavill on the game of water polo and how it started. Mr .Cavill was the originator of the game as long ago as June, 1868, in the Old Country. "Swim-ball" it was called at first, and it soon became a popular game in, the South of England. Fred Cavill made a tour of the world with, his children (all of whom, as everybody knows, have since made names for themselves in the water), and he introduced the game at every port of call. When he settled in Sydney Mr Cavill got the Lavender Bay Club going at the game, and soon taught it to the Port Jackson Club swimmers, of whom the best then were Mr. W. F. Corbett (now "Natator" of the Sydney Referee) and Mr. Watkin Wynne (now manager of the Sydney Daily Telegraph). Mr. Cavill now lies confined to his bed crippled with severe rheumatism. It is proposed to arrange this season a special benefit for him. and surely the pioneer of swimming in Australia is well worth it. I clipped the following list of F. E. Beaurepaire's successes in Europe from the Sydney Referee. They may be ol interest to swimmers:— June.—soo metres championship ol Germany. Time, 7min 9sec. 103 metres championship of Germany, GSsec. 440 yards International scratch race at Budapest, smin 23sec (which is said to be a world's record). 100, 200, and 300 metres International contents at Leipsic. Times: 100, TOsec; 200, 2min 35sec: 300. 4min 11 l-ssec. July.—One mile championship of England. 24min 20 2-ssec.' 440 yards Saltwater Championship ofi England, smin .38 3-osec. August.—Half-mile championship of England, llniin 39 4-osec.

100 yards championship of England, 59 4-ssec. International 100 metres (100 yards) race. Paris, Imin lOsee. International 500 metres race at Stockholm. 7min 6 l-ssec (which establishes a world's record). 100 metres race at Stockholm, Lmin 7 4-ssec (record for Sweden). ' One mile championship race, 24min 3(isec (record for Sweden). September.—so metres and 100 metres 1 championships of Finland, 31 3-ssec and 07 3-ssec respectively (Finnish record). 500 metres championship of Finland, Gmin 57sec (a world's record). 300 yards at Glasgow. Time, 3min 32 4-ssee (Scottish record).

500 yards championship of England, Gmin 21 2-ssec. 220 yards championship of England, 3min lOsec. October.—soo metres race at Westminster, 7min 2 l-ssec. World's record.