Swimming.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 134, 3 December 1904, Page 14

Swimming.

[Bt Side-stroke.]

The shimming club formed in connection, with the Young Men's Christian Association is being pushed along with the energy which is a characteristic of " all branches of the Association. The club has commenced its racing programme, and the Secretary is now taking steps to affiliate with the Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.S.A. The officers of the club are as follows : — President, Mr* H. l _W. Kersley ; Captain^ Mr. P. Palmer ; ViceCaptain, Mr. C. A. Dickinson ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. X.. 3?. Staples ; Committee, Messrs. W. Eglin, G. R. M. Fosette, L. C. Parton, S. Wilson, and H. P. Edwards. Notwithstanding the general activity' of the Petone Borough Council residents of the suburb in question are still in want of a municipal bath. At one time there was- a privately-owned bath at Petone,, but only recently, we are informed, this has been filled in. The question of obtaining baths was before the suburban Council recently, but the matter did not get past the "earnest consideration" stage. The Petone beach makes a fine bathing spot, and in the early morning and evening the shore is literally alive with bathers. It is no uncommon sight to see a figure enveloped in an overcoat dtfsh out of one of the cottages near the beach and sprint for the sea shore, on reaching which the overcoat is discarded, and the bather, clad in pyjamas, rushes

into the water. A Pekne Councillor in search of fame might with advantage keep the need for public baths befoie the local body. The Swifts Club got off a 100 yds Club Handicap last week. The heats were raced on Thursday, and the 'final on Friday. There were 17 starters out of 18 entries. The first heat resulted -in an easy win to ¥. Gill (14sec) in the fair time of lmin 21sec. He used a nice easy side-arm stroke. 0. Freyberg (12sec) was a yard or two behind, and came second. ''The rest were not in it. P. Moore, with 12sec, finished third. The second heat was a close and exciting one. E. T. Hegglun (2sec) beat C. Ansley (6sec) by a touch, and 1 D. Neven (scr) was close up third. The winner covered the distance in' the creditable time of -70sfac. The placed men swam a great race. The final neat was won fairly easily by F. Gill in lmin 19 2-ssec. There was a big fight for second place between D. Neven and E. T. Heggiun,' resulting in the latter coming second by a touch, and Neven third. % Angus Donaldson, of Christchurch, has been appointed delegate of the Wellington Centre on the Council of the N.Z.A.S.A. He is a well-known follower of the sport in Christchurch, and and has been, a member of the East Christchurch Club since its formation — 12 years ago. The fiist carnival of the season is that of the Swifts Club, which takes place at Te Aro Baths on Saturday next. Afternoon tea will be provided at 3d a cup during the afternoon, and the Committee is making arrangements to meet the convenience of the public as much as possible. The club is possessed of a handicapper of considerable experience, and some exciting finishes may be looked for. The Committee is making a point of getting events off sharp to time. All the best swimmers in Wellington 1 have entered for the various events. F. Roberts, the local short-distance champion, does not intend swimming this season. I am indebted to Mr. W. T .Churchward, Hon. Secretary of the Wellington Centre, for a copy of the interesting annual report of the Canterbury Centre, which he has received from Mr. Walter Johnson, Secretary of the Southern body. The report considers the last season's work in Canterbury showed a marked' improvement -on former years. Referring to the N.Z.S.A., the repoit remarks on the amalgamation of the two bodies, which it considers must, make for the betterment of the sport throughout the colony. Three new clubs joined the Centre during last season, and one club disbanded, leaving twelve clubs affiliated, with a^totaj membership of 1109. Thirteen carnivals were held last season, and record entries were received for interclub events, the total being 1624, covering 400 heats. The amount donated in prizes was £120, irrespective of club races. The medal presented to the Centre by Mr. Kohn, of Auckland, was won by H. Sherwood, of the Sydenham Club, who won the race, a half-mile handicap. The 100 and 440 yds New Zealand championships were .decided on New Year's Day, and .were both won by H. A. Creaghe, of Dunedin. The schoolboys' championship was carried off bj R. Ronayne, of Wilson's Private School. The Centre started last year with liabilities amounting to £6, but was able to commence the present season with a credit of< £9 lla 2d. The following list cf Blitish championships decided so far this season is taken from an exchange : — 100 yds (decided at Middlesborough, 3rd October) : J. .H. Derbyshire 1, Radmiiovic 2, Call 3. Time, 60 4-ssec. 100 yds (Ladies): Miss H. Mackay 1, Miss H. C. Thorp 2, Miss M. M'Laughton 2. Time, lmin 25 l-ssec. I 150 yds (Back): W. Call 1, W- H. Jones 2, T. A. Unwin 3. Time, 2min 1 2-ssec. 200yda (Breast): W. W. Robinson 1. F. H. Naylor 2, E. Langley 3. Time, 2min 52 l-ssec. 220 yds :- C. E. Foraytb/ 1, H. Taylor 2, G. Wilkinson 3. Time, 2min 37 4-ssec. 440 yds (Salt Water) : D.' Billington 1, F. H. Parsons 2, F. Smith 3. Time, 6min 19sec. 500 yds: C. E. Forsyth 1, D. Billington 2, *J. C. Smith 3. Time, 6min 33 l-ssec. Half-mile: C. E. Forsyth 1, D. Billington 2, P. Radmiiovic 3' Time, 12min 23sec. One Mile: D. Billington 1, T. Wildgoose 2, A. G. Harvey 3.