SWIMMING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 450, 8 March 1909, Page 6

SWIMMING.

« THORNDON CLUB'S CARNIVAL' A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. Given fine weather on Saturday afternoon, th« Thorndon Baths proved. far too small to aocommodate the largo crowd of spectators which gathered to see the eleventh • annual carnival of the Thorndon Amateur. Swimming Club. One of the most attractive programmes that has been presented in Wellington for a vory long time rewarded visitors, the only error made by the club being in trying to give the public too much, and thus drawing tho sports out until 6 p.m. The principal raoo on tho programme was the 400 Yards Handicap, in which the New Zealand champion, R. Henly, and B. C. Freyberg met again. Crawford and Kennedy, the limit men, had covered 125 yards before Healy left the board, and, for tlis firet 300 yards, interest centred in Freyberg and Healy. At 250 yards, Freyberg, who had 6soo. start from the champion, only had a lead of about Bft. and, at tho end of the next 50ydB, Healy had drawn level. With 350 yds. thrown behind Ilealy was well in front, and tho spectators then began to take an interest in the finish. Ward, O'Neill, and Brice were tho first three to turn for home, with Healy coming up fast. in the rear. With 25yds. to go the three first men were fighting out every yard, and it looked to be anyone's race. Young Ward, however, again demonstrated his ability over a' distance, and, finishing strongly, won from Brice by .-a narrow margin, O'Neill being only a few inches away third, and Healy fourth, about Gyds. ahead of Freyberg._ The 100 Yards Handicap was also won by Ward after another fino performance. Bruce and Allen led into tho horcie stretch, with Ward in close attendance. Ward set out after the leaders, and Healy was moving up rapidly, the result being a brilliant finish which was fought out over - the last 15yds. Ward .was swimming splendidly, and managed to win bv a touch from Bruce,'with Healy and' Allen a few inches away next. Ashford retired at Tsyds._ Healy cut out tho distanco in 61 2-ssec. Ward's win was a popular and welldeserved one. The 50 Yards Junior Handicap was won by E. Alexander, who got home easily after leading all the way, and the 50 Yards Boys' Race was rather easily won by C. Sheehy. G. Bruce accounted for the Presidents' Handicap—so yards—winning by a touch. The Musical Lifebuoys competition—a novelty to Wellington and a species of musical chairs in the water—caused a great deal of amusement, the' winner turning up in It. .Ronayne. Another novel event, a 25 Yards Submarine Race, was won by R. Nelson. The diving competition vras one of the best seen for a long time, tho halfdozen leading men doing fine. work. A clever acrobatic display was given by Messrs. T. Barr and W. M'Clugpage, and Miss Cunningham gave an exhibition of diving and swimming. Thosoin charge of tho afternoon's arrangements did excellent work, and tho finishes were a credit to the handicapper. The ofiicials wero:—Referee, Mr. T. Shields; judges, Messrs. A. St. Clair, C. Gasquoine, and A. H. Stevinson; starter, Mr. E. J. Fleming; check starter, Mr. H. Henderson; timekeopers, Messrs. L. W. Ludwig, L. Bridge, and G. Sadd; press steward, Mr. C. J'. Todd; marksmen, Messrs. C. A. MacDonald, F. Malfroyvand J. H. Jl'Ilroy; costum© steward, Mr. D. Joslin; handicapper, Mr. W. Barry Smith; secretary,' Mr. J. ll.'M'Hroy. Details of the day's racing are as under:— . 50 Yards Junior Handicap—First heat: E. Alexander, Dsec., 1; W. L.' Wilson, 9sec., 2. , Also started! K. Aekins, Usee. Second heat; 11,.Alexander, fisec.,'!; E. Bi Tustin,-7seb^ Also started: J. P. Rutherford, Bsec„-and L. l'airbairn, Gsec. Third heat: J. Nelson: Gsec., 1; P. Aekins, Bsec„ 2. Also : started: T. H. M'Lean, 6sec.; W. Bey, Gsec.; T. Ronayno. Gsec. Fourth, heat: K. Wiggins, ssec„ lj W. Hill, sscc., 2. Also started :,G. Saunders, secc.; J.'Robmson, ssoc.; J; Stratford, 4sec.; Watson, 4sec.;-E. Stewart, 4sec. Fifth, heat: H. H. Little, 4sec., 1; G. Bruce, itsec,. 2.- Also started: V . L. Allan, 4sec.; E. : Picjt, Isee.; J. D. Hopkirk, 3sec. Sixth heat: R.:Baker, 3sec., 1; W. Dudson. 3sec., 2. Also 'started: D. A. M'Leod, • 2^sec,; C. Brice, ?sec. Final heat: E. Alexander, 1; H. Alexander, 2;'Little,'3. Tinie, 35 2-ssec. ■ 50 Yards Boys' Race.—First heat :■ L. Henrys, 13sec., 1; S. Henrys, 12sec., 2; J'. Ewing, 12sec.,3.- Second heat: C. Sliechy, 9sec., 1; J. Desmond, lOsec., 2. Third heat: G. Haught'on, Bs_eo 1; E. Campbell, Ssec:, 2. Fourth heat: \Y. Scott, 7sec., 1.; H. Ling, 7sec., 2. Fifth heatt J. Wareham, 7sec.; 1; J. Devine, ssec„ 2. Sixth heat: H. Capper, scr., 1; J. Robinson, 2sec., 2. Final heat: Slieehy, 1; Stratford, 2; Wareham. 3. Time, 38 2-ssec. .

■50 lards President's Handicap.—First boat: W. Hill, Gsec., 1; Higgia,' 7soc., 2. Also started: P. Acfcms; Bsec.;-Yi L. Allen, Gsec. Tiiuo, 34sec. Second'heat: J. Stratford, Owe., 1;G Saunders, Gsec.,.2. Also started: A. 11. Tockcr Gsec'. Time, 33 3-ssec. Third heat:' G. Bruce, Gsec., 1; 11. Nelson, 2Jscc., 2. Also started: A. Shearer, iscc. Time, 33s»c. Four 11 ! hea l -' P. Eoberts, scr., 1; N. L. Pownall, 2}seo., 2.' Also started: B. 'Eonayne, scr. Time, 2!)jsco. l'mal heat: Bruce, 1; Stratford, 2; Roberts, 3. Time, 35sec. Diving Competition.—C. A. Macdonald, 1; E. kelson, 2; C. Moore, 3. 8.-Eonayne, P. Harina, !'• Aekins, E. Picot, T. Eonarne, F. Eoberts, and G. Saunders also competed. 400 Yards Handicap.—C. M. Ward, 46sec., li C. Brice, Msec., 2; B. O'Neill, SOsec., 3. , Also started: L. Higgie, BGsec.G. Crawford, llSsec.; R. Kennedy, 112sec.j C. Ivclly, lOOsec.t W. G. Morpeth, 9Gsec.; F. Delaney, 90sec., ; P. Kivell, Slsec.; N. Watson, GOsec:; J. H. Mawley, 3Gsec.; B. C. Freyberg,- 6sec.j E. Ilealy, scr. Time, Gmin. 37sec. Ladies' Race,- 50yds.—K. Turnbull, 1: 01iv« Arthur, 2; E. Grubb, 3. Musical Lifebuoys.—E. Eonayne, 1. 100 Yards Handicap.—First heat: G. Bruce.Usee., 1; V. L. Allan, Usee., 2; D. Jenkins, 7sec., 3. Also started: F. Delaney, -ISsco.; N, E. Stone, ISsec. j \V. Bey. l'sec.; G. Saunders, Usee.; E. Stewart, Usee.; L. Salek, 7sec. Second heat: C. M. Ward, 7scc., 1; H, Ashford, ssec„ 2; B. Healy, scr;,- 3. Also started:'D. M'Leod, lOsec.; C. Brice, Bsec.; F. Roberts, scr.; E. Eonayne, scr.. Time, 71sec. FinaMieat: Ward, 1; Bruce, 2; Healy, 3. Time, 71 2-sscc. Submarino Eace, 25yds.—It. Nelson, 1; E. Picot, 2. \ ■ ROWING CLUB CARNIVAL. On Saturday afternoon tho annual swimming sports of tho Wellington Bowing Club wer« held off tho club's sheds.- The events were got off before a targe atteiidanco of lady friends of club members. Afternoon lea was provided, and Duncan's Orchestra contributed several musical selections, and altogether tho afternoon's sport proved most enjoyable. Several of tho events proved highly amusing, particularly tho Pillow Fight and the Greasy Boom. Tho l'illow Fight was contested in heats, tho final bout between S. Shilling and J. R. Crawford resulting in victory for the former. For nearly ten minutes the Greasy Boom defied all tho efforts of the competitors to safely negotiate its slippery surface.' At his fourth attempt J. R. Crawford got (o within a couple of feet of the end of the pole, and as he slipped off secured the flog with a graceful grab of the loft, hand, and the waters closed over his head with gurgling sound, but a second later lis emerged triumphant with the (lag, and was heartily applauded. Immediately after W. Shilling managed to safely negotiate the pole, and take a neat header off the end. The following are tho results:— Maiden Race—A. Barry, 1; W. A. Gcmruoll, 2; S. Shilling, 3. ' Novice Eace.—F. Coveney, 1; S. Shilling, 2: A. Barry, 3. Club Handicap.—W. Wilson, scr., 1; F. MiCinloy, Gsec., 2; n. Sullivan, scr., 3. Ne:\test Header.—S. Shilling, 1; H. Bardslcv. 2; W. Sullivan, !1. Cigar and Umbrella Race.—F. M'Kinloy, 1: ,T. B. Crawford, 2. Club Championship, +40yds.—W. Wilson, lj W. Hulbert, 2; W. Gaudin, 3. Pillow Fight.—S. Shilling, 1. Comic Dive.—C. B. Furno«s, 1; A. Barry, 2. Clnb Handicap, 100yds.—W. Wilson, scr'., 1; W. Sullivan, sor., 2; A. Walling,-scr., 3. High Dive.—ll. Bardsley, 1; W. Sullivan, 2. Breast Stroke Handicap, 75yds.—A. J. Coveney, lfisec., 1: A. Perry, 3sec., 2; W. J. Gaudin, sc.r., 3. Greasy Boom.—J. R. Crawford, 1; W. Shilling, 2.