AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 56, 8 March 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

AQUATICS.

The evolutions of the first and second class yachts went off very successfully last Saturday after a little delay at the sbart, owing to the breeze being a bit too light. After the evolutions were finished, seven of bhe boats wenb down to Maori Bay, and stayed there all nighb, returning next day. Coming back, Commodore Waymouth directed a number of interesting evolutions from the deck of Dr. Haines's yacht, the Ngaire. I hear there is some likelihood thab the Tawera will be sold to a Wellington gentleman. A very interesting and exciting rowing race (under Bst) took place ab Ponsonby last Friday between a crew from the All Saints' and Baptists' Sunday-schools respectively, and resulted in an easy win for the former by 4 lengths. The race was rowed in Mr Clare's gigs, the course being from bhe Baths bo Shelly Beach. The following wero the crews :— All Saints: A. Fielder (stroke), L. Shearloy, J. Williams, E. Fielder, and E. Hampton (cox). Baptists: J. Shepherd (stroke), R. Wilson, T. Patterson, F. Stonex, E. Edwards (cox). E. Hampton did exceedingly good work ab his post as cox. In regard to handicap yaehfc races a writer in "Town and Country" says ib would be advisable to either limit the handicap, or try what may now be termed the Mark Foy system, which has come into great favour with the Porb Jackson Club, viz., o-ive the handicaps at the start for these Masons following; Those following in th©

steamers, having just got on board, would not feel the monotony in waiting at the start as they do at the finish of a race ; and farther, the sight at the finish, all the yachts close together with everything set, would be one worth going miles to witness. A number of our Auckland yachtsmen would fall in with these views. I notice from the .last English papers that the 100 yards amateur swimming record for the v/orid has again been broken, this tiino ab Manchester by C. S. Lonbon, who got through the distance in 65 seconds.

A ICO yards swimming race at the Christchurch Club contests for the cud was won the other day in 88 seconds. * Not much ahead of Bailey after all the talk.

The entries for the annual amateur swimming sports at Christchurch have been very good, 144 being entered for the events outside tho 100 yds championship. For the latter there is an entry from Dunedin. Arthur Warren cables from London to New York that a new cup challenge is now building at Fay's Yard, Southampton, under conditions of tlie greatest secrecy. Watson is the designer, and Jamison, the Dublin distiller, the owner. The yacht's name has nob yet been decided on, but in the yard she is called the new Irex. Rowing is becoming lively on the Parramatta. McLean has taken up his quarters there already,"and is,.being assisted in his training by the English sculler. George Bubear. He is located at Mortlake. Mattbrson should make a start this week ; aud as soon as a date is fixed for his Kemp race, Kemp and his contingent will be on the river. In about a week the following scullers are sure to be found doing their spins — Kerno, Matterson, Stanabury, McLean, Bubear, Stephenson, Brown, Feileen, etc. Brown, the Clarence River sculler, is at presenb in Sydney, and may likely be included in the Matterson "stable." With such an array of professional talent, and with O'Connor now there, this class of rowing should boom for several months to come.

The Grammar School Swimming Sports, which eventuated in the Saifc Water Baths lasb week, were very successful. This is the only school in Auckland which holds regular sports, bub I hope in bhe near fubure to see all other schools following suit. Young Upton, who won the Championship, will in time prove a very last man. Masefield swam second to him.

The Auckland Swimming Club, whose sports are bo be held in the small Graving Dock on St. Patrick's Day, have added two novelties bo their original programme, one a 50yds blindfold race, which will cause greab amusement, as bhe men will nob bo able to swim straight, and will all find a finishing post of their own ; the other a cigar and umbrella race, competitors to swim with cigars alight, and umbrellas open, and to finish in the same manner. At these sports strict times will be taken for various events, and then comparisons may be made with those of the South. Hitherto times ' have been somewhat neglected. Mr St. Clair, Secretary of the Auckland Swimming Club, has now recovered his health, and is about town again. Next week look for tips re bho MarshallEhrenfried trophy.