SWIMMING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12231, 28 March 1903, Page 7

SWIMMING.

The committee of tho Auckland Swimming Club (N.Z.A.S.A., registered, headquarters Auckland), are to be congratulated on the excellent programme prepared for their grand swimming carnival in the Graving Dock this afternoon. The prizes are numerous, and valuable, and are to bo won right out at to-day's meeting. The bill of fare is very varied, and 1 notice among tho items several novelties and' innovations which should cause great interest among the spectators, and competition on the part of those taking part, especially as several of the long list of competitors are numbered among the best swimmers in Auckland, and include such speedy exponents as the Tylers, Dei--vans, Hedges, Graham, Sainty, Dalton, 0. 0. Hwftlvs. Oo.«*nr." Nolan, Hubs'-1), YVarbrick. and Weston-George, etc. At the request of the local rowing clubs, two events have been included for rowing club members only, and as satisfactory entries have been received there is every reason to hope that this step will lead to increased interest in the natatorial art among these clubs. Why should not each rowing club in Auckland have a swimming branch of its own. and thus be in a position to hold one or two handicaps in connection with their " At. Homes," trial fours, etc., besides arranging for inter-club championships, relay races, and polo matches, and the provision on local swimming carnivals of special ©vents for rowing club members? There are groat possibilities in this direction, and the clubs would do well to give the matter their earnest consideration.

Messrs. 0. Dalton and W. E. Cossar intend giving some very laughable and comic items at the carnival this afternoon, and I am sure their efforts will be thoroughly appreciated by the visitors present. Miss Ethel Keene, the local lady champion, and honorary instructress at the Al-bert-street baths, has promised the committee of the Auckland Swimming Club to give an exhibition of swimming and life-saving at -this afternoon's carnival, in the Auckland Graving Dock. This should prove a very attractive item. Another lady swimmer of note, Miss Kathleen Ryan, has also promised to assist. She will give an exhibition of swimming and a plunge. It is pleasing to note that the Auckland Swimming Club Committee have placed quite a number of short handicap races on to-day's programme, and have been rewarded with very largo entries—3B in the electric 50yds dash, 22 in the 75yds novice, 23 in the ladies' bracelet. I have always been ofthe opinion that a number of short events would be more popular with the members than the long-distance swims, and this view is borne out by tho large entries received.. .■Given fine weather, this afternoon's cai'nival should attract a very large attendance of the public. Ample seating accommodation for all will be provided, and everything done for the comfort of visitors. The first race is timed to start at a quarter-past two p.m. sharp. Tho rivalry between the two local _ clubs has given a great impetus to swimming in Auckland. Several old members of the Auckland Swimming Club, who havo not played an active part in the sport for two or three seasons, have rejoined, and are assisting the promote the success of the carnival to be held to-day. Mr. C. Dalton, who. away back in the -ancient history of the club, was a prominent figure in the neat-header and plunge competitions, will this afternoon assist that well-known exponent Mr. W. Cossar, in an exhibition of fancy and trick swimming. Drake and Trescott. of Christehurch, and Roberts and Smith, of Wellington, are expected to arrive in Auckland on Thursday morning, and will have a day or two to look round before competing at the Northern Swimming Club's champonships on next Saturday. Mr. A. Kolin's gold and ruby medal, and Mr. Maurice O'Connor's handsome gold medal, with the Northern Swimming Club's new monogram in the centre, are now on view in Mr. Kohn's window, and have attracted a lot of attention. The Northern Amateur Swimming Club will bold their club night on Wednesday evening next. J. H. Hamilton, who represented New Zealand at the Australasian championships, just concluded in Brisbane, arrives in Auckland by the s.s. Zenlandia to-morrow (Sunday). He worthily upheld his reputation by win- ' ning the 120 yds handicap and the plunge championship. He also finished second in the mile championship, being only beaten by 2yds by a world's champion, and swam a. dead-heat for third in the half-mile championship Hamilton will be welcomed on arrival by the officers and members of the Northern Amateur Swimming Club, and while in Auckland will compete at the club's championship meeting next Saturday. The Northern Amateur Swimming Club draw the attention of all amateur clubs to their relay race on April 4._ This is open to all rowing, football, cricket, or other amateur clubs in New Zealand. Entries for all events •at the Northern Amateur Swimming Club's carnival, in the Calliope Dock, olose • to-night at Mr. R. Eagleton's Queen-street shop. The handicaps will he published in Thursday's Herald. If the time given is correct the Wanganui College boasts one of the snecdiest swimmers in the colony over the 100 yds course. Report say that at the college sports held recently one of the boys, named R. C. Miirphv, won the 100 yds with the greatest ease in 65 l-ss.

The swimmers of the land of the Stars and Stripes have never been regarded as in the first flight, but if the latest from Americans correct, it is evident that they are coming on. It is claimed for Harry Lomoyne, a 17-year-old Boston lad, that at.an aquatic carnival on February 3, he covered 100 yds indoors in lm. 1 2-ss. The previous best, in America was lm. 5 3-55., by E. C. Shaefer, of the New York Athletic Club. The Yankees are claiming Lemoyne's performance as a world's record; rather a surprise in the face of Dick Cavill's and F. C. V. Lane's feats in beating 60s. for the 100 yds, of . which they must surely have heard. *