AQUATICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1404, 26 January 1899, Page 22

AQUATICS.

AQUATIC CARNIVAL

EDWARDS WINS THE PRINCIPAL ~ EVENT. TRTJSCOTT CARRIES OFF THE WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIP. The fifth annual aquatic carnival of the Wellington Swimming Club was held on Monday in the harbour in the presence of a very large assemblage of people. The handicapping was singularly good and the finishes in the handicap races were close and exciting. The event of the day was the race for the 100yds Championship of New Zealand. Southern swimmers put in a very strong claim for this ljonour, representatives Being sent by the Lyttelton, South Christchurch, Richmond, Lancaster Park, Christchurch and Sydenham clubs. Wellington was represented by two swimmers J. M. Hamilton and W. Horne. Edwards, of Lancaster Park, secured the prize after a slashing set to with Truscott (Richmond), the previous champion, though the margin dividing several of the others in the race was only a matter of inches. At the conclusion of the race Edwards was carried to his tent by a few enthusiastic admirers, an attempt en the part of one of the visiting competitors to raise a cheer in his honour from the spectators proving a rather painful failure. The 100yds Championship of Wellington was a great race, Hamilton, the local representative, being beaten by Truscott, the Richmond representative, by about two feet, the remainder of the starters finishing close up. The comical manceuvrings of Mr Albert Samuels, and a gentleman "well known to the police,” kei>t the audience in a ripple of amusement in the intervals between the races; and such items as the tub and sea-horse races and the attempts of a number of misguided persons to discover the end of a greasy boom were provocative of much genuine amusement. Mr G. S. Hill gave an exhibition of trick swimming, which won him much applause. ’ An efficient staff of officials administered the programme satisfactorily in every way except that strict punctuality was not observed. Mr E. J. Fleming was the honorary secretary and starter; Mr T. Shields superintended the arrangements in the water, and Mr Grimmett was judge. The following are details of the sports:— _ Fifty yards Maiden Handicap.—J. Sullivan, scratch, beat six other starters. One Hundred Yards Championship of New Zealand. T. Edwards, Lancaster Park Club, Christchurch ••• A. B. Truscott, Richmond Club, Christchurch ... —2 F. Stokes, South Christchurch Club ... 3 Also started—J. M. Hamilton and W. Horne (Wellington), H. Rich (Lyttelton),

Ske*wood (Sydefibam), t-indsay Chnstehtirchi A magnificent race, the Majority of the competitors keeping together right up to the rope. Hamilton, the Wellington representative, made a good showing for the greater part of the race, but condition told, and he was hopelessly beaten at the finish. Time, Neatest Header.—R. Wighton, 1; J. M. Hamilton, 2; G. S. Hill, 3. Seven com--1 Yards Anniversary Handicap.— First heat: A. W. Hayward, 9sec, 1; i. Howarth, Msec, 2. Second heat: H. J. Duigan, 9sec, 1; E. Dodd, 7sec, Third heat: F. Wilton, Bsec, 1; C. Heglin, ssec, 2. Final: Wilton, 1; Howarth, 2; O. Heglin, 3. Hayward won the race, but was disqualified by the officials for taking another competitor’s water. Tub Race.—Samuels, 1; Wilkes, 2. Four others started. 1 , Championship of Wellington; 100 yards. A. B. Truscott, Richmond Club, Christchurch ... y . 1 J. H. Hamilton, Wellington Swimming

Won by a foot, in 73sec. A slashing race. Hamilton got the worst of the start, but, joining issue with Truscott at an early stage of the race, fought out a desporate finish. Greasy Boom.—Arnold won after an exciting competition. . , Seventy-five Yards Ladies Bracelet. First heat: C. Heglin, 6sec, 1; H. Rich, 3sec, 2. Second heat: G. Sadd, 16sec, 1, H. Sherwood, ssec, 2. Third heat: F. Stone, lOsec, 1; T. Edwards, scr, 2. Final: Sadd, 1; Rich, 2; Sherwood, 3. Time, 62sec. Heglin won the race, but was disqualified for starting before his time. q Fifty Yards Back Race.—R. Wighton, Bsec, 1; C. Kelly, scr, 2. Time, 48sec.