SWIMMING

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 9

SWIMMING

SWIMMING IN ENGLAND. So keen is the public interest in tho annual swimming contests tor the Kin- s Cup that over 50,000 people surrounded Kighgalu Ponds on July 9th to witness tho first of this year's races, which was decided at the Life Saving Society s ga a. When tho cup was presented by tho King last year it was competed for under or(Unary spend-racing conditions, out /Jus year tho Rife* Saving Society, under whoso auspices the competitions are earned out, introduced a test of life-saving ability. In Saturday's race tho man had to suun a a liar ter of a mile attired in swmv mine costume, shirt, collar, tie, trousers, and boots or shoes, a living subject having to bo carried the last *lO yards. Even in these conditions it was thought quit© possible that J, A. Jarvis, of .Leicester, the amateur champion and joint nolciei of the cup, would win, but ho was beaten after a good race by F. Gadsby, of the Nottingham Club. Tins swimmer lias the misfortune to have lost one leg, but he nevertheless possesses speed, and also has a good knowledge of the best methods of carrying a body through the water. Eight .started, but Jarvis and Gadsby soon drew away from the others. When the living subjects were reached Jarvis, who had apparently been going rather easily, was about ten yards in front iif the Nottingham swimmer. At this point it seemed almost impossible for 3 amis to be beaten, but immediately Gatsby seized his subject it w-ns evident that a big struggle would follow-, for - Gadsby knew more about carrying a man through the water than his opponent. Tho latter toiled along whereas Gadsby kept bis mo® m almost a horizontal position, and by a powerful leg-swish gradually overhauled Jarvis As they, neared the finishing board Gadsby came up. inch by inch. In addition a number of illustrations of the methods of saving life from drowning as taught by tho Life Saving Society were "iven by teams of tho City of ’London Police, the Y division of the Metropolitan Police, tho Hastings Police (all in uniform). and teams of boys and gilds from the Loudon Schools Swimming Association, ami the entertainment closed with a display of Swedish and English diving. A. brilliant display of swimming and tho best methods of saving life from drowning was given on July 11th at the Bath Club, Dover street, Piccadilly, in tho presence of tho Prince and Princess of Wales and a distinguished company. It was the occasion of the final race for the King’s Cup, and great was the regret that the winner of Saturday’s race at Highgate Ponds, P. Gadsby. was compelled,to withdraw. Tho competitors were required to carry Dio supposed drowning subject with both hands, but having only one leg, Gadsby has to use one arm as a paddle when carrying a person in the water. H. Johansson (Swedish Life Saving Society) gained possession of the cup for Sweden.