SWIMMING.

Evening Star, Issue 12398, 11 January 1905, Page 3

SWIMMING.

[Br Sidh Steokb.3

A quaint instance in support of the general statement that the tirst shall be last, etc., happened at the recent New Plymouth carnival. The starter, whether from original caprice of deep design, counted off bis handicap men backwards, the scratch competitor plunging at the word " one." Some of these days there will be a serious argument as to the numerical value of the two inner rowers in a four-oared boat. One end mffli is called " bow," and the other "stroke,"'and they both go backwards, so which is first, and why is "three" hot "two"?

The Wellington Tost,' by the way, has it from its correspondent that said carnival was not run as smoothly as competitors from other clubs are used to, even though the officials -worked hard.

The Dunedin Amateur Swimming Club were able to keep the baths open continuously during the holidays, and a large number of the public and visitors took advantage of the same. New Year week was not so good as Christmas, but the whole takings for the fortnight were satisfactory, and the club may well be pleased with the support they are receiving from the public. That the baths are sought aftcT may be well seen from the number of strangers, mostly visitors to the town, that made their way to them so often daring the last, few weeks.

Now that the evenings are drawing out increased numbers of swimmers should be seen down at the baths, and if the club will institute again some of their evening meetings of two or three races, with a diving contest or a polo match, considerable interest should be aroused among the racing men of the club, and with a little encouragement from the club many a new swimmer might be induced to enter for the club's annual carnival, which will soon have to be brought forward. A couple of races for novices, both senior and junior, would be sure to meet with the 'approval of the young swingers, of whom there seems to be a good few, judging from what one sees when visiting the baths,, and it is well known that the best time to catch swimmers is when they are young. At the same time one might mention the number of seniors who are often seen at the baths, many of whom are not racing men, but with a Httte encouragement from the "club would soon be showing their smartness in the water. Quite a number of ladies vrait the baths regularly, and many are now able Js> swim, and the Committee are to be congratulated on obtaining two such able ladies as they have for instructing those desirous of learning the art of swimming. Now that the club have instructors for the ladies, and as the same becomes better known, increased numbers of visitors should be found at the baths on the ladies' evenings. To one andall who visit the baths the same opportunities will be given for learning to swimShould the D.A.S.C. decide to have their annual carnival shortly, it is to be hoped they will apply to the local centre for one or two of the provincial championships, and if the request is granted a large entry for the various races k sure to follow, as the racing men are fast striking form, and some good racing should be witnessed. Seeing that some of the public schools have been visiting the baths for regular classes, a schoolboys' race would be welcomed among the boys, and should provide a good race.

The manager of the Industrial School having accepted the D.A.B.C. offer in granting the club's baths to the boys and girls for use in instructing them how to Bwim, a start was made this week, and two classes have already received their first lesson. Mr H. Thompson has generously offered his services to instruct tie pupils, and., under his charge they should Boon be able to give a good account of themselves m the water.

doming notes, bowling notes, and furtber cricket, and sporting items are unavoidably held over tfll to-morrow]