MASTERTON AQUATIC SPORTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Issue 1015, 6 March 1882, Page 2

MASTERTON AQUATIC SPORTS.

The first aquatic sports ever hold in the Wairarapa came nff at the AYaipoua baths mi Saturday last, and may he pronounced a great Buccess. The weather was everythins/ that could be desired, and there were fully two hundred persons present, including a large number of ladies. Prizes were provided out of money and articles liberally subscribed by the citizens of Mastertou, who fully recognised that tho object of encouraging our youths to make themselves proficient in the art of swimming wan a good one, Mr Elkins aoted as starter, Mr Biah as timekeeper, and Mr. Worth as judge, The committeeconsisting of Messrs Grundy, Da Castro, Meek, Hogg, MoKenzie and Cross did all in their power to make the affair, pais off success fully, and we think they fully succeeded in making a pleasant afternoon for all who attended. Mr Jago deserves great praise for the way in which be worked up the affair, and the committee are indebted to him for the great amount of their aucoaas. There were ten events on the programme, which were supplemented by several Lpecia!. races, About half-past-two the Lirts w«ra started, the first on the lilt ncjng the «arBMBfBkIHH

flH^Rßj^^^^^^^^Hßnand yards, Brat prize 15s, atcond It 6d, entrance Is. I 0. Hounslow ... ... ; . 1 I W. Oliver ' ... ...'.'2 Thbre were only two / competitors, Hounslow winning easily by 20 yards. til Men's Long Dive, first prize 15s, 2nd " 7a6d,«ntranoe2s. .;'■"■. DeCastro (47 yds) '■'...; 1 ' W. Dixon ...,.;.„..2 Four competed, but they all spoilt their '■"' chanoei by going into the bank, as did Da Castro, consequently losing a few yards, Time 36J sacs, Boi'bßacb, under 12, 80 yards, prizes concertina and book, entrance free. A. D'Aroy ... ... 1 J. Wriglej ... ... 2 Three competitors, D'Aroy winning by about seven yards. Mess' FiNorDm, Ist prize 10a, 2nd 7s fid, entrance la. -Meek.,, ,„ ... 1 W. B. Gross ... ... 2 There were five entries, each competitor having three tries. Meek's last attempt was really good, scarcely disturbing the water, Cross' diving was aho very good, but he took rather too muoh wateft* Men'b Race, 80 yards, Ist prize 15s, 2nd 7s Gd, entrance 2g. C. Hounslow ,„ ... 1 W. D'Aroy. 2 Three tntries. A good start was effected. A fine race"resulted between the winner and De Castro for 60 yards, when the latter gave up, evidently having been in the water too long previously, and allowed D'Arcy to take Becond plaoe. Time—s7 sees. The Tob Race was hardly a succeis, there being only two competitors, and their tubs too small, filling directly they were boarded. Messrs Meek and Cross divided the first prize, . , Men's Baoe, 160 yds; first Mr Bish'a ' prize (valued at £11); 2nd, a book. Entrance, 2s. 0. Hounslow ... ~, 1 B. Hounslow ; 2 ■ T.-Jago „ 8 Five competed for this event. They werestarted frura the bottom of the couqe, doing the first 80 yards against the streauK*, and the second 80 with it. B. Hounsloff was (he first to turn, his brother being olose behind him, Jago a few yards off, tho others apparently out of it.' Ab soon as they turned C Hounslow put on a spurt, passed his brother, gradually drew ahead and won easily, B, Hounslow 2nd ( and Jago a very good third. The Greasy Pom, for a saddle of mutton, caused a deal of amusement, three or four lads competing, Tho pole consisted of a stout Baplin?, which had been barked and well greased, projected about 12 feet over the deepest part of the water. On the end of the pole a small stick was nailed upright, on the top of which was placed a China egg, the competitors having to walk nut and take the egg off the :'■. stick, One lad in grasping at the egg broke the stick off, and the efforts of two gentlemen to replace it caused a deal of merriment. At last a board was laid along tho pole and one of the gentlemen mentioned went out and again nailed the stick on; When he had got half way vnund for the return journey the board was slipped from under him, and the way he went for the water was something '. ludicrous. A professional acrobat could not have held a candle to him, and tha peals of laughter at his expense were tremendous, Eventually P. Beauohamp and 3. D»iderioh tied for first place. Swimming on Back, 80yds, forMrElkini' prize. Entrance free. B. Hounslow 1 C. Hounslaw 2 There were five competitors, the first named winning easily. Time, lruin SOsec. Boys' Race, under 16; first priio, fo 6d; second, bat; of oatmeal P.Perry „. 1 -Wilson 2 There were fi?e entries, Perry winning easily, Boys' Fancy Dim First prize, 7« 6d; second, bag of oatmeal, T. Blinkhorne.,. „.f 1 A. D'Arcy 2 Five lads competed for this event, Blinkhorn showed some really nice diving. D'Aroy and Perry had td dive off for second place, the former takingjt with a very good dive, Steepleohabs. First prize, pair of baotfl i second, Cs, Entrance, free, —Meek ... 1 W. Perry 2 The eourse was from a point behind the bathing sheds, over the fence, through the river, over a fence the other side, and baok to the starting place. Five com* peted. This was considered the event of the day. They all successfully negotiated the fence, and took the river almost in a heap, Perry getting in first. Opm in the water Meek got ahead, but Perry beat him again on terra firma, leaping the far fence in fine style, In the water coming home Meek took the lead and the advantage of the stops this side, and won by ■ about a yard, W. Diion was a good | third,

This broaaht a moat successful and enjoyable afternnon'i sport to a close. Being the first attempt of the kind ever held in the district, the promoters areio be congratulated on the manner in whiofo the whole affair was carried out. Wehopl to see many more events of this desoHp. lion now they have been Bwimmingis not only one'of Merest exercises, but mav at any time stand one in good stead, and deserves the.encouragement of all.