AUCKLAND SWIMMING CLUB'S GALA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10008, 20 December 1895, Page 6

AUCKLAND SWIMMING CLUB'S GALA.

The Auckland Swimming Club held their first gala of the season at the Freshwater Baths, Albert-street, last evening. There was a very fair attendance of spectators present, and a lively interest was evinced in the contests. The racing was of an interesting nature throughout, the several events on the programme being productive of close and exciting finishes, a result that reflects great credit on the handicappers. Mr. James W. Brown, the club's popular secretary, and the several officials who assisted in the management of the gala, are deaervintr of mention for the highly satisfactory manner in which they carried out the arrangements, the races starting punctually to time, the decisions being given with promptitude and to the entire satisfaction of the competitors. A string band, under the conductorship of Mr. Hunter, enlivened the proceedings with a series of popular operatic airs, The following are the results

72 Yards Maiden Rice, for members of the Ellerslie Swimming Club : Hutchinson I, Robinson 2, Wilki isoii 3. Time, 68 l-sth s. 7? Yards Handicap, hoys under 14 : S. Woods J. Time 07s. Tlioio was only one other slarter. school Girls' Race, 38 yards: A. Barber 1, A, Nicholas 2, N. Moore 3.

IUB Yards Handicap: First Heat: 11. J. Bailey scratch, l: F. P Burgoss, 95., 2. Second Heat: M. Scott, 25., 1; P. C. Bailey, &s 2. Third Heat: J. T. Praser, 65., 1; James Cassidy Bs., 2. Fourth Heat: (John Cassidy, 9s, 1; J. Burrell, Ms., 2. The final produced a most exciting finish, not half a yard separating the three placed men, the result being : James Cassidy, 8«., 1; H. J. Bailey scratch 2; M. Scott, 25,, 3. Time, 97 3-sth s. Kuiming Neat Header, off springboard : There were several competitors, and the divine on the whole was very clean, W. J. Brown winning, with Dixon second. 36 Yards Ladies' Handicap: Miss B. Keene 1, Miss M. Simms 2, Miss J. Kvans 3. 72 Yards School Boys' Championship: Stone 1, S. Woods 2, J. Russell 3. Time, 60s. Cigar and Umbrella Race : H. J. Bailey 1, Perclral 2, Scott 3. Th» race provided a lund of amusemen; for tile spectators. Teams Race: City 1, Parnell 2, North Shore 3. . During the evening Mr. Allen cave an exhibition long dive,_ the distance being about liOyds, aud the time under water 53Js. The programme concluded with a scratch polo match, which resulted, after an interestin? struggle, in favour of Hedges' team by two goals to one.