AQUATICS. GRAND SWIMMING AND DIVING MATCHES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3319, 6 March 1868, Page 3

AQUATICS. GRAND SWIMMING AND DIVING MATCHES.

A VERY attractive programme of sports was prorided for the patrons of the Auckland Salt-water Baths, at the new breakwater, yesterday. The programme comprised a series of swimming and diving matches and other sports for money prizes, and was the first aquatic tournament of the kind we remember to have seen carried out in Auckland. The credit of the sport is due to the spirited management of the Salt-water Bath Company, who have ever exhibited a deep interest in the success of tbat institution j and it is with some satisfaction, therefore, we have to compliment them on the complete success of their efforts to cater for the enjoyment of the public The day was fine and favourable for outdoor sport, and nearly 200 spectators attended the baths during the afternoon. The following was the committee of management :— Patron: Frederick Whitaker, Esq. Stewards: Mesirs. A. Beveridge, E. L. Bueholz, P. Hall, J. O. Hamley, J. Smart, H. N. Warner, and W. 0. Wilson. Judge: Mr. Andrew Bereridge. Starter: Mr. Thomas Macffarlane. Seoretary : Mr. J. O. H* l^' The programme comprised ten events, for which there were about forty-fiv« competitors, and the greatest interest was exhibited by the spectators throughout the sports. The first event ctme off punctually at 2 o'clock, by which time there were a goodly number of spectators in attendance. The following are the results of the matches :—

lit Raoi— Swimming, for boji under 12 years of age; distance, 50 yards ; entrance, la. j prize, 10a. ; second to lire hia stake. Edward Dickey .— 1 J.Pratt .... | J. Baineavis *• «■> Qt, Beation * — Duder 5 There were five competitors for the first event, a juvenile swimming matcb, over a course twice across the baths, ending at the starting place. The winning boy took the lead, and kept it throughout, followed at a few yards' distance by Pratt and Balneavis.

2nd Race— Swimming, boys under 18 years of age; distance, 100 yards; entrance, li.; prize, 15i.j second to save ititke. M. Clarke J Sinclair * Mamley « Healey 4 The following also competed ;— Whitt, Banki, D. McFarlaDe. and Merriman. Eight youths mustered for this race, over a course four times aorosi the baths. Some good swimming was exhibited by the competitor*, but the firgt three appeared from the atart to have it all their own way. The »wimming of Mr. Hamley, Jan., wa« the mo«t generally admired for gracefulneis, but was not ■ufßciently fleet for his antagonist!, Clarke and Sinclair. The movements of the latter were very erratic, but his dexterity enabled him to take second position at the winning plaoe. The firtt four arrired in the order placed, with no grea,t disparity of distances : the others were nowhere.

3rd Ra.cs— Swimming, all ages ; distance, 150 yards; entrance, 2s. 6d.; prize, £1 ; second to i»re •take. Mr. Dunnett 1 Mr. Gatland| 2 The following also competed :— Messrs. fc'erguson, G, Whitaker, J. Clarke, Hill, Atkyns, Goldsmith, Stichbury, and Dick. Ten gentlemen entered for this race, over a course six times across the baths. The event caused much interest. There were some good swimmers amoDgst the number competing, and the match was looked upon as a trial of skill between a few profeisedly good " hands." With the exception of one or two who got off with* spurt, Dunnett and Gatlandtaade the best show, and quickly put the others to the right-about by their easy and graceful style. When the erent was little more than half contested, the numbers were reduced one-half, Dunnett and Gatland holding the lead, and exhibiting a pretty even strength. The former, however, showed too much power for his antagonist, and won by about 20 yards. The remaining three kept well together, and were about 30 yards in rear. OwiDg to a misunderstanding, the competitors swam 200 yards before giving in, but still maintained their respective distances.

4th Baoi— Diving long distance ; boys under 14 yearsj Is.; prize, 10s.; second to«ve •take. Atkyn 1 "W. Dufaur 2 D. Maoffarlane 3 The other competitors were :— Hamley, Gordon, and Naughton. There were six competitors for this race, after the stewards had altered their programme ia order to admit boys under 14 years instead of 12 years as advertised. The youngsters showed considerable expertne«s — the most noticeable being Atkyn, who reached the longest distance and was awarded the prize, and W. Dufaur and D. Macffarlane, who were second and third respectively.

sth Raee — Diving, longest distance, boys under 18 years of age; entrance, Is.; prize, 15i.; second' to save stake. Fairbiirn 1 H. Whitaker 2 Merriman 3 W. BeatBon 0 Lloyd 0 Five started, but the contest was between Whitaker and F»irlmrn. One of the competitors came up at the corner of the same side he dived from, much to the amusement of the spectators. Fairburn and Whitaker were nearly on the same line, but came up at considerable distances apait. Whitaker had taken a slanting direction, and consequently came up some seconds after his competitor Fairburn, who had made a straight course of it

6tx Rack — Diving, longest distance ; all ages ; entrance, 2s. 6d.; prize, £1. Bill 1 Brown 2 Dunnett 0 Dufaur 0 Fagg 0 This was a most interesting experiment, although Messrs. Hill and Brown had it all their own way. The other three reached three-fourths of the distance across, bat the first-named gentlemen appeared on the oppo ■ite side the baths, and the match was consequently a, tie between them. The two elected to try again for the prize, and did so with a similar result, to the great amusement of those present. One of the competitors made his appearance, on the second occasion, in the remotest corner of the baths, and did not turn up until some seconds after the other. The stewards, after this experiment, divided the prize, with the consent of both parties.

7th Race — Undress in the water, shirt, trousers, and sojks ; entrance, 2s. 6d. ; prize, £1. Brown, Atkyn, and Allen. This was a very amusing spectacle. Brown was the first to accomplish, the feat, but, on reaching the stairs, > found he was minus a sock, which was calculated to disqualify him from winning the prize. The youth Atkyn was ready immediately after Brown, and brought all hii clothing to the steps. Allen lost a sock, and was the last to accomplish the feat. The prize was, we believe, divided by the tiro first-named.

Bth E aos— Dirt and come up through a hoop in the centra of the baths ; entrance, 2«. 6d.; prict, 20s. In the absence of four entries, tbere wai no match.

9th Rle?— Bringing up plate from bottom ; heat* ; ' entrance, 2s, 6d. ; prize, 20. Hopkins 1 The following »lio competed: — B. Home, H. Whitaker, A. Whitaker, Brown, Brassey, and George. This match wai very amusing. After a third dive, Hopkins came to the surface with the plate in his hand, and received the applause of the spectators. For the second heat he was requested to drop it in the centre of the bath, and on another attempt again brought it to the surface in spite of the efforts of the other competitors to deprive him of this honour. The prize wai consequently awarded to him.

10th Rioi— Duck hunt ; open to all comers. There were about twenty competitors for the ducks, and,«ome rare sport was the result. The stewards threw two and a half couple to be competed for, one of which found its waj between the piles* and thus escaped, from its pursuen. The others were taken posses-don of one by one, after an exciting chase. This concluded the first aquatic tournament at the new baths. But we hope it will not be the last, from the interest which attached to it and the large measure of. support it received. The greatest credit is due to Major Hamley and others of the committee for their exertions on behalf of the success of the sport, , t