SWIMMING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11544, 1 December 1900, Page 7

SWIMMING.

At a meeting of the committee of the '■ Auckland Swimming Club, held in the I Sports Club on Thursday evening last, it i was definitely decided to hold a carnival in the Calliope Dock on December 22. The programme already drawn up, as outlined in my notes recently, was adhered to. It was decided to devote the trophy presented by Mr. Charles Ranson, ot the Northern Steamship Company, to the maiden race (75yds). A special general meeting is to bo called to consider the advisability of registering the club undei the Unclassified Societies Act,

189 S. ... , It was agreed that a requisition be sent from this club to the association, that after this season al! competitors for championship honours must hold certificates as proficients in life-saving knowledge. , It was decided that the officials of the club he the officials of the Auckland centre. The question of sending representatives to the Christclmroh championship meeting in January was discussed. The idea met with approval, and it is probable that test races will be arranged, with a view of choosing the representatives. The next committee meeting is called for Thursday, December 6, at the Sports Club, when the officials for the carnival will be appointed. . There will be a meeting of the registered association on December 5, when all members of the Southern association will be deemed to have applied for admission, and be duly elected. Thereupon arrangements will fie made for the retention or transfer of general headquarters, according to the voir, of the centro3, arranged to be lodged with Dr. Chappie at Wellington yesterday. Tn view of the jubilee of the Canterbury provine". T should he" disposed to consider it a graceful compliment to the Southern association if the vote wore to be cast in their favour. The Auckland Club have, I learn, voted for their own city, but there are one or two of the officials who would not bogrudge the first general headquarters to Christohurch, nil the circumstances duly token into consideration. I take this opportunity of reminding swimmers that entries for the events to bo swum at the dock carnival close on December 12, with the secretary, or with the caretakers at either of the baths. Entry forms must contain last three performances. Regarding costumes, a misprint in my I notes of last week made it appear that trunks J must be worn outside. The rule of tho club is that trunks shall bo worn inside the costume. Both Tyler and Sainty have entcrod for the i swimming events to take place, during the ' Mercer Regatta, and doubtless both men will uphold their reputations, and worthily represent our city. The Government grant in aid of school instruction has already given a stimulus to the sport amongst the scholars. There are now no less than seven Auckland schools whose pupils ere attending the Albert Baths en masse, whilst three more are shortly expeeled to swell the list. It is one of tho most gratifying features of the sport in Auckland to see so many of our young people revelling as they do in it. Not only school children, bu f numerous others are daily taking more advantage of the baths, both in Albert-street and Custom- , street.

Both baths are in excellent hands, and noticeable for the care bestowed upon them by the caretakers, who succeed admirably in keeping them spotlessly clean and sanitary. A ten-guinea donation has been received by the association from the Nirvana Tea Proprietary, to be awarded for life-saving knowledge to public school children. Five guineas aro set apart for the five most proficient boys, and a similar amount for the five most proficient girls. One cannot help remarking that if other public people would follow this excellent example, much benefit might accrue to the sport. For instance, I venture to suggest that a trophy for water polo would bo most acceptable, and a cup for competition in life-saving no loss so. Any furtherance of the art of swimming in any of its branches cannot fail to result in ultimate good. Possibly the gentleman who arranged the matter of the ten-guinea donation may be equally resourceful in the directions I suggest. This year the Australasian championships will be held in Victoria, on the following dates:—February 1: 100 yds, and plunging, at the Fresh Water Basin. Ballarat. February 2: One mile, at Geelong. February 6: Half-mile, at Williamstown. February 8: 220 yds, at Middle Park. February 9: 440 yds, at St. Kilda. Three Australian swimmers arrived in Sydney from England on Saturday. 24th inst. They were : F. 0. V. Lane, J. H. Rollings, and V. Lindenberg, the first two of whom have gained a great name for themselves, and for Sydney, which has the honour of being their birthplace. Says the Town and Country Journal:—B. It. Craig, who was instrumental in bringing the body of the diver. John Rodrick, to the surface at Mort's Dock, on November 13, is a member of the Balmain Swimming Club, and is champion of New South Wales for 100 yds, 220 yds, and 300 yds, and 220 yds champion of Australasia. Hearing of tho accic'.ont, Craig tried to gain admittance, but was refused, and had to run some distance round tho dock, and, of course, lost considerable time before reaching the spot. He at once dived in, and was some 3m. below the surface, engaged in tying a rope round the body. When he came to the surface he partially collapsed, and bled at the ears. His clubmates hope that his trying experience will not weaken his chances for the 100 yds championship, which is to be decided on December 26. The Life Saving Society has decided to grant the society's special award for bravery to Craig for his plucky conduct.