AQUATIC SPORTS ON THE HAMILTON LAKE.

Waikato Times, Volume xxx, Issue 2427, 31 January 1888, Page 2

AQUATIC SPORTS ON THE HAMILTON LAKE.

Tub Waikato Anniversary Swimming Races on tho Hamilton Lake came off yesterday, and were in every respect :i coml»lete success. The weather was unfavourable for the swimmers as a stiff wind was blowing across the lake and raised a heavy sea, and was also unpleasant for the spectators on the shore, otherwise, everything was admirably arranged by the committee, and every event came off without a hitch. There were between four hundred and five hundred people on the ground, the fair sex mustering in great force. The jetty built by the Domain Board runs into the water for a distance of 80 feet, is stoutly put together and is a decided improvement to the appearance of the lake. Several tents, refreshment booths, and a merry-go-round, with the number of flags flying gave an animated aspect to the scene. A good many boats and canoes were also on the water. No charge was made for admission to the ground, lv.it a collection was taken up on behalf of the funds and a fair sum wos obtained. The principal events were won by Auckland men, but it is gratifying to think that they considered the inducements tempting enough t> coins such a distance to compete in them. The results of the several events are as follows : — Neat Header. Nicholson 1 Kiely 2 Yon Sturmer and C. Cox also competed. For this the placed men tied three times, but eventually Nicholson won by ono point. Boys (uuder 10), 200 yards. W. Neilson 1 D. (jelling 2 G. P. Rees •' 0. Edwards and C. Cox also competed. Gelling was the favourite, but Neilson was the stronger of the two, and managed to get through the rough water _in much better stylo, winning by about 25 yards. liees close up third. Girls (under 15), 00 yards. Bessie Whyte 1 Nettie Trewheellar 2 If. Ijogie and A+. Hume also competed. A very good race indeed, and won only by a couple of strokes in good time. The little ones showed great spirit in the rough water and finished strongly. 100 Yards Scratch Rack. Nicholson 1 Brown 2 Von Stunner 3 Missen and Kiely also competed. The two Auckland men were too fast for the local competitor, and won rather easily, there being only about two feet between tho tii st and second. Girls Under 12, 40 Yakds. E. Hay 1 H. Graham 2 V. Graham ... ... ••• 3 M. Quick '1 A splendid race and won only by six inches. In fact the general opinion seemed to be that it was a dead heat. Tho third was only a foot behind the second. It is worthy of mention that none of the little ones who competed in this race swam at all until the present season and they are all pupils of Professor Pannell. This speaks volumes for the training and pluck displayed as tiie roughness of the lake would i have deterred many from trying tho task. Back Rack 150 Yards. Nicholson ... 1 H. Quick 2 Won easily, but the race was a hard one throughout. Ladies Rack, 100 yards. E. Davis 1 A. Sandes 2 . F. Hope also started but did not finish. A much better yace than was expected as Miss Davies was thought tube all out too good, but Miss Sandes swam splendidly and got within a couple of yards at the finish. Boys Under 12, 40 yards. .T. Neilson ... 1 Frank G'owper 2 N. Whyte . ... 3 R. Logie, F. MeMahon, IC. Graham, R. Wilson, F. IS Igecumbe, and G. Gillct also started, Young Neilson sailed away for tho first 20 yards at a creat rate and would not be caught though Frank Cowper pushed him well at the finish. Norman Whyte swam very nicely, but was not strong enough for the leaders. Amateur Championship of Waikato, half-mile. Brown (Auckland) 1 F. Von Sturmer (Hamilton) ... 2 Missen {Hamilton) 3 Nicholson (Auckland) 4 This was a splendid race, and although Brown won easily, he had to exert himself to his utmost. He led from the start, Nicholson second, followed by Von Sturmer and Missen. At 350 yards from the start, Von Sturmer passed Nicholson, who from this out steered a very bad course, and lost thereby any chance he might have had of placing himself. Brown rounded the 440 yards mark 40 yards ahead of Von Sturmer, and eventually won by exactly 100 yards, Missen being 40 yards behind, Nicholson, wide of the course, last. Von Sturmer, who is only ID years of age, swam a slashing race, and with ago and strength addec} will be a hard nut to crack in /another I'-i months. He is a pupil of Professor Panncl, and certainly does that gentleman great oredit. Long Dive (boys under 14). Frank Cowper (12yrs) 1 Fred Cowper (ioyrs 8 months) 2 Thq winner made a first-rate dive of 35 yards in length, his brother failing to reach this distance by some yards, Tho little fellow was much applauded by the public. Canoe Race, mile. Parr (Wild Duck) " 1 Horno (Sunbeam) 2 Kingsjey (Torpedo) also started. Parr managed to win in a water-logged canoe by a nose, and then got swamped some 100 yards or more wide of the wharf. The Sunbeam steered nn excellent course, but the larger canoe had the advantage. Long Dive (All-Comers.)—There being only one entry, this event fell through. (Jlothks' Race, 150yds.—This race suffered the same fate as tiio last. Boys' under 14, 00yds. Fred Cowper ... ... ••• 1 G. Gillett 2 Frank Cowper . 3 J. Hill 4 T'iio race was one of the closest ever seen. Fred Cowper won by a foot or two, and Gillet only beat his brother Frank by a few inches, whilst .T. Hill was as close up, fourth ; in fact, it was practically a dead heat between the last three. Consolation, 150 yds. F. Von Sturmer 1 Missen 2 4 niatyh between the two, aijd Vou

Stunner won rather easily by four or five yards. Ghkasy Boom. —Fred CoWprtr managed to secure the flag from eight others, the usual fun resulting from the performance. Professor Pannell gave an exhibition of swimming, which was most vociferously applauded, his floating powers being wonderful. An Auckland gentleman was to have given an exhibition also, but after gazing at the professor's fantasia he disappeared rouu 1 the wharf, and was last seen wending his way homeward—to the dressing tent —up to his knees in mud. A duck hunt took place, Dalton acting as the duck, and he was collared after an exciting chase by Percy Missen. Tho prizes wiil be presented to the winners 011 Wednesday evening durine the interval at Dr. Kenny's lecture in the Public Hall, Hamilton. After the swimming races were over, a rowing match took place between Mr Carter's Stormbird and Col. Foibes No Name, manned, respectively, by Messrs Norwood aud W. Von Stunner, and Mossrs ,T. S. Bdgecumbe and Handyside. The latter won comfortably by 20 lengths, after showing decidedly good form. It is to be hoped that next year boat races will form a component part of the programme.