SALT-WATER BATHS. SWIMMING AND DIVING MATCHES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXV, Issue 3582, 11 January 1869, Page 3

SALT-WATER BATHS. SWIMMING AND DIVING MATCHES.

Off Saturday afternoon there was a series of swimming and diving matches at the Auckland Salt-water Baths, which appeared to excite very considerable interest, there being about two hundred people present, among whom we noticed many of the leading men of this oity. It has; often been a matter of astonishment to us that in a seaport town like. Auokland there is so little attention paid or interest taken in matches of this nature, and that considering the many facilities offered there are but very few, comparatively speaking, having the slightest knowledge of natation. This is not a proper state of things in such a community as ours, where nearly everyone has often occasion to be upon the water ; and we need only point to the large number of accidents that have oc- > ourred of late to prove how few of those who meet with mishaps have been able to sustain themselves in the water for the briefest possible period. Numberless instances could be cited where men who are constantly employed on the water whilst earning their daily bread, are yet altogether ignorant of the art of swimming. We therefore look upon the" Bports of Saturday last, at the Salt-water Baths,as a step in the right direction, and trust that swimming matches may take place much more frequently than has been the case up to this time. As we have said, the attendance at the baths on Saturday was remarkably good, and a long programme was gone through very fairly, many of the competitors acquitting themselves witn great expertness. Thespirit which has been shown by the promoters oT these matches cannot be too highly commended, and we understand that throughout the season there will be frequent swimming and diving matches open to all. It was arranged in the first instance that those taking part in any of Saturday's races should each pay a certain entrance fee, but the committee generously abolished this, and threw the races open free to all without any payment whatever. The-follow-ing gentlemen formed the committee, and great praise is due to them for the manner in which all the arrangements were carried out : — Major Hamley, and Messrs, Thomas Macffarlane, Smart, and Peter Hall. Among those present, we noticed Colonel Balneavis, Major Hamley, Messrs. Macffarlane, Hall, Edmonds, Rice, I). Tole, S. Jackson, Diddains, Hague Smith, Stannus Jones, Dickey, Allen, A. Clark, M. Clark, J. Clark, J. Russell, G-. F. Whitaker, David Graham, William T. Buckland, Pierce, Dr. Fischer, Captain Brackenbury, and others. The first race was for boys under 11. Distance, 50 yards; prize, 10s. Entered — HJ. Dickey, ' J. Carlow, J. Pratt, J. Balneavis, Short, and Bowden. The lads got well off together, Dickey arriving home first, closely followed by Carlow, Second race : A silver pencilcase was offered for boys under 15, by Messrs. E. and H. Isaacs, but, there not being sufficient entries, the race did not come off. This was to have been a special event, and was not down in the programme. The next event, for boys under 15, did not come off, there not being sufficient entries ; so to give a little life to the proceedings a goose was put in a box and placed at the end of a greasy pole extending about twelve feet over the water. For a long time all efforts to reach the box proved fruitless, the competitors invariably falling into the water before getting half the length of the pole. Subsequently, however, it was carried off by a man named Hopkins, and, later still, the feat was again accomplished by a lad named Richards, who was therefore the winner of the second goose. Although many efforts were made, only the two geese were carried off. We need scarcely say that this species of amusement created much laughter. The third race was for boys under 18. Distance, 100 yards ; prize, 15s. The following entered : — Edmiston, Grimley, Whitaker, Willis, "Merriman, and Christmas. Grimley came in about half the length of the bath ahead of any of the others, Merriman being second, and Willis third. The fourth race was the best of the programme, consisting of a match open to all comers of any age, for 20s. Distance, 150 Javds. The following competitors entered : — . Clark, A. Clark, M. Clark, King, Lynch, Dr. Fischer, Kane, Gr. Y. Rice, Driscoll, Hopkins, and Keals. This was a very spirited affair, and after a good race our three respected fellowtownsmen came in ahead of all the others— A. Clark, M. Clark, and James Clark, juniors— A. Clark being the winner. The fifth race was a diving race for lads under 18 ; prize, 15s. Kelly, Merriman, Macfarlane, Johnson, and Smith. Kelly 1, and a tie between Macfarlane and Kelly. A duck hunt then took place, which afforded a fund of amusement to the spectators. The next was a long diving race, open to all ; prize, 20s. There were several entries for this race, Kelly carrying off the prize; Hanry being second ; and Driscoll third. Kelly kept under water the whole length of the bath. The next event created considerable interest, the competitors having to jump into the water with their trousers, shirts, and stockings on ; the one who first undressed and brought his clothes safely on shore to be the winner. Kelly was up to time first, but it was discovered that he had lost one of his socks, and the prize, 205., was accordingly awarded to Crampton. Diving under the water and coming up through the centre of a hoop followed; prize, 20s. There were several entries, but Grimley was declared to be the victor, Snodgrass being second. The last prize, 205., was offered for bringing up a plate from the bottom — in heats. Three names were entered, and after some very good sport the tie had to be decided between Grimley and Heldith. They both succeeded in bring up the plate each time they dived for it, but at length Grimley— who had been in the water all the afternoon — gave up through sheer exhaustion — and the prize was awarded to Heldith. This concluded the programme, and the spectators accordingly dispersed.