SWIMMING MATCH AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1340, 1 February 1881, Page 2

SWIMMING MATCH AT HAMILTON.

Conmdeuablu interest was taken in the swimming match organised by Mr Johnson, of the Royal Hotel, Hamilton, on Saturday. The course, about a mile long, was from Coates" landing down to Gwynne's bath-house. The following bad entered :— Messrs K. Hill, It. Gv/ynne, P. Ferry, C. Johnson, J. Coombes, 8. Pascoe, C. Beale, and Captain Dawson. The four last-namiid were, however, the only competitors. Every precaution was taken against accident, no less than three boats bearing the swimmers company the whole distance. A start was effected ato o'clock by firing a gun at the Waikato Brewery, Beale going oft' with the lead. On Hearing the bridge Dawson aud Coombes had overtaken the leader, with P.iscoe about 20 yards in the roar. The latter was shortly afterwards taken with cramp, and wa& promptly pulled on board one of the boats. Going under the bridge Dawson and Coombes, unfortunately for them, took the eastern arch, and got baffled m the backwater — L'ooinbos, indeed, being nearly exhausted before he got clear of I the eddies. Beale, who had either the good fortune or the good sense to take the ! middle arch, was thus enabled to draw away from hid opponents, and passed the winning-post fully forty yards in advance of them, the order being — Beale 1 Dawson ... . .2 Coombes 3 The first pri^e consisted of a five -gallon keg of beer, piesented by Mr Gumming, with 10s added; 2nd prize, a bottle of whiskey and 7s Gd. Tho tlmd saved his stakes, and also received a bottle of whiakey. The race was witnessed by a very large number of people, the bridge being litei ally lined with spectators, while many took up their station along 1 the banks and near the winning po&t at G Wynne's bath-house. After aniv.il at Gwynne's, thobe present instituted a handicap swimming mutch for boys, the distance being about 2JO yards. T e prize, 6s Gd, was won by G. Beere against thiee other competitors. This was followed by a divmg match, also for boys, for which theie were three eutiies. The prize, 7s Gd, in this event, was won by James Martin. The other two weie quickly on the surface after diving; but young Martin kept under until everyone began to hold his breath, reappearing, as lively as possible, more than 60 yards from the point of his disappearance. He was received with heai ty cheers. Two or three well-known citizens, anxious to outdo the youngsters, got up an adult diving match, the prizes being ml. Although this event clul not serve to exhibit such skill as that of young Martin, it undoubtedly gave rise to more amusement. At the conclusion. Mr Gwynnp addiessed a few words to those present, expressing the hope that the matches of that day would not be the last. He trusted to see them recur annually. A very enjoyable hour's sport was thus brought to a close.