SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2724, 20 March 1916, Page 9

SWIMMING

SOLDIERS' AFTERNOON

AT THORNDON BATHS

The rhonidon Club invited the soldors from the various camps to Tliorn--0011 Baths on Saturday afternoon. The V, I Co ,"!! cl1 kindl >' Save instructions that soldiers be admitted free to the oaths. A largo number of the lady supporters of the club ivero present About 150 soldiers attended, and the rrentham Band, under Sergeant-Major I 1 ox, rendered excellent music during the afternoon. Tho chief item of interest was the Relay Race, for the Hints' championship, for which ten teams competed. The championship sup was presonted by Mr. J. IV Atkins, nnd it was very pleasing to the promoters of the afternoon to find that n great deal of interest had been aroused in tho various camps, and that the competition for tho cup was very keen. The oup was a challenge cup, and will be held by the winners of Saturday until such time as they are challenged and boaton by some other unit in caifrp. Mr. T. Ronayne, 1.5.0., presented a Wristlet watch as a trophy for the 50 yards Soldiers' Handicap. Some 40 soldiers competed, and a very excellent competition resulted in Pto'. Hanlon Winning the coveted trophy. Excellent sportsmanship was displayed by the boys in camp, in that, having 'been asked to state the usual time in which they swam fifty yards, an excellent handicap resulted, although the winner appeared to have something in hand. The diving competition was won by Lance-Corpl. W. Hicks, who was lately a member of the Wellington Olub, and it might bo mentioned that tho diving competition brought forth some excellent diving, and was much enjoyed by the spectators.

Afternoon tea was .provided hy a committee of ladies, and was thoroughly appreciated by the soldiers, who gave many cheers for tho ladies at the conclusion of the afternoon.

Mr. J. E. Henrys, a vice-president of the club, apologised for the absence of Mr. Ronayno (who is temporarily laid aside with influenza), and' presented the prizes to the successful (competitors. Mr Henrys thanked the soldiers for taking suoh a big interest in the competition, and the captain of the winning relay team replied, and expressed appreciation of the Thorndon Club's action in providing some clean, healthy recreation for the boys in camp.

Mr. H. AY. Harris, in,asking Mr. Henrys to unveil the roll of honour, which tho latter gentleman has kindly presented to the club, mentioned that forty-four of the active members of the club have responded to the great call, and that forty-two late rr embers of the club are also away with the, Expeditionary Forces. The 14th Engineers, who won tho challenge cup for the teams' race, have already received two challenges to swim for it, one being from a team which had the previous day taken part in the route march over the Rimv.takaß, and who felt that if they were less tired they could put up a better swim. Arrangements, will be made by the Thornd'on Olub for tho challengers to swim against the winning team at Borne convenient date in the near 'future.

-The Thorndon Club is greatly indebted to Captain W. Bell for _ taking such a keen interest in swimming sports for the men in carrp, as without his interest .and assistance it is doubtful if so much keenness would he shown as is at present the case. Sergt.Major Warren has done excellent work, as the "swimming secretary" at the Trentham camp, and bis efforts »re muoh appreciated. Mr. R. Quinn, of- Trentham, kindly donated one guinea for a trophy for the team swimming second in the championship teams- race. The results of the various events are as follow:—

- Championship Relay Race. —First heat: D. Coy, 11th, '1; 12th N.Z.F.A., 2. Secondl heat: 14th Engineers, 1; I4tii. N.Z.F.A., 2. Final: 14th Engineers, 1; 14th N.Z.F.A., 2. 100 Yards Handicap.—First heat: C. Neal, 1; E. Donovan, 2. Second-heat: H. Desmond, 1; B. Brien, 2. Third beat: F. Desmond, 1; J. Shearer,-2. Fourth heat: Linden and Eade, dead heat, 1; L. P. M'Caskey. .2. Final: F. Desmond and A. V. Eado, dead heat, 1; J. Shearer, 3. The dead hearters decided to swim off, and an excellent race resulted in Eade, the soldier, winning by half a yard. This event aroused much enthusiasm amongst tho spectators.

50 Yardls Soldiers' Handicap.—First' heat: Hutcheon, 1; Le Berre, 2. Second boat: Hanlon, 1; Swords, 2. Third heat: White, lj Bradley, 2. Fourth heat:. Buchanan, 1; Christie, 2; Fifth heat: Strachan, 1; Kiddie, 2. Final: Hanlon, 1; White, 2,_ Diving Competition.—There were eleven competitors, and after all had dived' the judges could not separate Lance-Corpl. W. Hicks and S. Shearer. These two therefore dived off, the result being that Lance-Corpl. Hicks wub placed first and S. Shearer second.