THE SWIMMING CARNIVAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9404, 10 January 1894, Page 5

THE SWIMMING CARNIVAL.

The necessary and extensive preparations for the Championship Swimming Carnival, to be opened in Auckland at the Calliope Dock era Saturday next, are now rapidly being brought to a satisfactory conclusion, , and given fine weather the gathering cannot fail to be a very pronounced success. The programme is certainly a most attractive one both as regards the number of entries and the class of swimmers who have signified their intention of competing. Of course one of the most interesting features of the meeting will be the performances of the Sydney cracks, including the renowned Gormley; but the swimming of our own men—and we can boast of the best swimmers in New Zealand—and of the visitors from Christchurch, Napier, Whangarei, and other centres, will also prove great attractions. The Christchurch contingent of nine men will arrive at Onehuuga by the Mahinapua about noon to-day. A brake containing prominent local devotees of the sport will leave town at eleven, to meet the Southerners and drive them into town. The Sydney representatives will ' arrive by the Mararoa, and will also be met and cordially welcomed. The Auckland committee have sketched out a very pleasant programme for the entertain* ment of theiir visitors. 'On Friday afternoon they will be shown over the dock, and in the evening they will be invited to witness the performance at the Opera House. Saturday will the first day of the championship meeting, and as this will be by far the most important gathering of the kind ever held in Mew Zealand there is sure to be a very large attendance of the general public. The exhibition of swimming will certainly be of a very high order of excellence. .DurinjjSunday, Monday, and Tuesday next the visitors will be taken to Takapuna and the Sugar Works, and shown the various objects of interest in and around Auckland. Wednesday will be the second day of che championship carnival. On Thursday evening they will be entertained at a smoke concert, and on the following afternoon they will, witness the cricket match between Auckland and Rew South Wales in the Domain. • In the evening they will take part in a night carnival to be held in the Albert-street Baths. The visiting teams will leave for their respective homes on Saturday week. Ib is to be hoped they will have an enjoyable stay here, and carry away with them \ pleasant recollections of Auckland, its people, and its climate. : Of the New South Wales team the most prominent figure will, certainly, be W. J. Gormley, the holder of the world's amateur records in the 100 yds (lm. 2 2-Ss.), 220 yds (2m. 38£s.), and one mile {27m. 3£s.) He is the recognised champion of New South Wales. Gormley also holds the following amateur records of New South Wales: — 120 yds (lm. 20Js.), 200 yds (2m. 21 l-65.). 300 yds (3m. . 595.). 600 yds (7m, Is.), and 1000 yds (14m. 445.). The brothers . Hellings are also in the front rank of oolonial swimmers, having held New, South Wales championship honours and TVMeadham holds with J. /Sellings the New South Wales record for 78yds (485.); and on December 1,1892, swam 100 yds across the Sydney Natatorium (40 feet laps), in one minute. The above performance i riv? be > taken as samples of what may be expected on Saturday next. ' « ;