SCHOOLS SWIMMING.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1918, Page 6

SCHOOLS SWIMMING.

LIFE SAVING CERTIFICATES. The finals of the schools life-saving competitions, which took place at the municipal baths last night, attracted a large crowd of spectators, and the work of the competitors frequently drew forth rounds of hearty applause. iP'art of the tests took place in the afternoon in order to take out of the night programme some of the items which occupied rather much time. Last night's work was limited to rescue and release work in the water (four methods). In the senior competition three teams were left in the final, Chetwode Girls' School and two teams from the New riymouth Boys' High .School. The girls were the first to enter the water, and their whole performance was smart and businesslike. Both boys' teams gave excellent displays, the points awarded by the judge (224 1 /,) placing them a dead heat and the Xo. 1 team was awarded second "place on time. Tim win of the Chetwode girls was a very popular one, the points awarded being 228}. The team consisted of N. O'Cavroll and Sadie Sexton.

In the junior competition the three teams in the final were KRham Primary School (girls). West Knd (girls), mid Central (bo>'3). These teams had to do only two methods of rescue and release. The result was West End (May Smart and Violet Hnrle) 102.', points 1, Central 1!)2 points 2, and Eltham 171} points 3. Mr. N. A. Christiansen was judge and Mr. J. Bennett timekeeper. In addition to the competitive items several demonstrations were given. The fancy diving by Masters 11. Tweedale, R. I'iibson and K. Wilson, all Central School pupils, was a most creditable display and was the first exhibition nf juvenile diving given in Xew Plymouth. Following that, an evhibition of fancy diving was given by Messrs F. .T. Darling (late of Xapier) and P. A. Schwartz. The different items were greatly appreciated, Lhe "naughty boy" and double dive being undoubtedly the most popular. Messrs •Schwartz and Christiansen also gave an exhibition of fancy swimming, the most pleasing items being the spinning top, porpoise, propeller, and submarine. The programme concluded with a sensational turn by Mr. Christiansen, known as the (ire dive. The demonstrator was tied up in a, big canvass bag, which had been saturated with highly inflammable oil, and from the high-dive board, be jumped into the water enveloped in a mass of flame, the effect being heightened by th<> extinguishing of the electric lishts over the bath for the moment. When the lights were switched on again Mr. Christiansen was seen to have extricated himself from the bag and was swimming serenely on the surface of the water, none the worse for his fiery leap. The whole programme was most enjoyable ami gave the public of Now 'Plymouth its first opportunity of witnessing n schools life-saving competition. It also was an evidence of the good work being done in the district through the medium of the local head centre of the Royal Life-Saving Society. Commenting on Ihe result of the competition afterwards, the judge said the Chetwode girls had given a very good display, and their work was very nearly perfect.