SWIMMING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1682, 25 May 1904, Page 55

SWIMMING.

(By “Na4ator.”)

The strong wind on a recent evening blew Natator against “Appy” Smith. The latter has recently returned from Auckland and is full of news. Firstly he mentioned that in a plunge competition at the recent sports of the Auckland Swimming Club he had covered Gift—lft over the 'New Zealand standard. Naturally “Appy” applied for a standard badge but found ultimately that by the rules of the Association lie was debarred from claiming a badge. The reason given was that ' the distance was not properly measured —or rather that the judges and referee were unable to testify to its correctness. As a matter of fact the distance was measured, but owing to a technical breach in not having measurers appointed by the Centre “Appy” loses all claim to a standard badge though he has the moral satisfaction of knowing that lie ha.s covered a distance greater than that demanded by the standard. •

He was not altogether satisfied; with the condition of the sport in the Northern city, the influence of bookmakers being too apparent. Figures quoted in re the “gates” at the carnival go to show how badly off Wellington -is in the matter of a hath for the accommodation of a large number of spectators. Roughly about £6O was taken on each day and for the sports in the D'ock about 4000 onlookers were gathered together. On such figures a club is justified in holding a big meeting; will Wellington ever be able so to do ? * Of course A.W.S. was well treated in Auckland, and in this respect he praises the Secretary of the Northern Swimming Club, Mr T. Gray. He is very enthusiastic about the Wanganui team which visited Auckland; the members lie says are among the most gentlemanly and sportsmanlike swimmers he has met. -

“Appy” relates a pathetic incident which occurred while lie was in Auckland. Mr Kohn who is very enthusiastic in the cause of swimming arranged a smoke concert to which he invited the visiting swimmers. He is a great lover of dogs and has one especial favourite which ho calls “Barney.” While the whole company was seated round the tables at the smoke concert, and’ enjoying themselves immensely it was announced that “Barney” had been run over. The narrator, told how he had seen the dog run over and taken into a chemist’s shop; there was no doubt at all that “Barney” was no more. Mr Kohn was visibly affected and the smoke concert came to a sudden end. The next morning a few of Mr Eohn’s friends met for the purpose of ‘burying “Barney.” The dog had been put in a coffin and a move was about to be made to the burying place when Mr Kohn had accasion to hearing a close resemblance to “Barney” who had been there all night, hut had been unnoticed by his owner! A close inspection showed that the kouri in the coffin was only an imposter, hearing a close resemblance to “Barney.”