Swimming,

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 102, 27 October 1900, Page 2 (Supplement)

Swimming,

[By Natator.]

The miniature programme of eventd which opened the season at the Thomdon Baths last Saturday afternoon, was, despite the unpropitious state of the weather, a pronounced success, both as regards attendance of the public and tha manner in which the various arrangements were carried out. His Honour Sir Robt. Stout, Acting Governor, opened the season with a few appropriate remarks. The Wellington Amateur Club's idea of making the opening! gathering a combined affair was heartily supported T>y all swimming enthusiasts, and the three city 'clubs were strongly represented. Since last season a large number of young swimmers have oome forward, and there are indications of the coming season being very successful. Most of the races at Saturday's meeting were keenly contested. In several of the events the competitors finished in a bunch, making it at times extremely difficult to separate the placed men. The chief feature on the programmewas the long and fancy diving exhibitions given at intervals by members of the different clubs. Mr. G. S. Hill, a wellknown local swimmer, performed 1 a feat that has -rarely been accomplished' by local high divers. He mounted the ir-regularly-shaped tower of the ° ba-ths, which is a considerable height, and from the top parapet made a splendid plunge, striking the water very smoothly, fie was much applauded by the spectators. A meeting of the local swimming olub's delegates to the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, has been held here, Mr. G. •J. O. Smart, the association's secretary, who is on his return journey from- Auckland to Ohristchiirch, being in attendance to explain the result of his mission to the northern city, t The important question of amalgamation of the two associations in 1 " this colony was submitted to the delegates and discussed at length, the unanimous opinion being expressed that the ' draft proposals agreed upon by both bodies should be forthwith adopted by the New "Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. A motion was carried to that effect, and will be brought forward at the special meeting of the latter body called for Wednesday next, at Ghristchuroh, to deal with the matter. Mr. Smart was congratulated upon the successful result of his work in bringing this long-standing question towards completion. The following notes appear in the London Athletic News as to the condition of professional sport in London:—- It is a pity, with, go many available professional swimmers at command, that co little is done for them in the way of providing raots! Many entertainnnant promoters are under the impression that the rules prevent professional races at amateur galas. lam afraid this misunderstanding is accountable for the scarcity of these items. Some years ago an attempt was made to put professional races out of court, but the effort proved abortive. With Tyers, Nuttoll, Matchett, Standring, Steame, Farraday, Greasley, Evans, and others who could be named, there is talent galore, out of which, many interesting races could be got. In fact, in the so-called palmy days of professional swimming, such a list of real good: men as that given above was an impossibility.