CHRISTCHURCH AMATEUR CLUB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4898, 14 January 1884, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH AMATEUR CLUB.

The third annual exhibition of aquatic sports undor the auspices of the Christchurch Amateur Swimming Club was given on Saturday afternoon in the West Christchurch School baths beforo a large number of spectators, many of whom wore of the fair sex. Tho weather was all that could be desirod, a bright sun helping considerably to make the condition of the competitors tolerable as regards temperature between the various events, a result also conduced to by the commendable briefness of the intervals. Tho Captain of the Club acted as "starter, and with the Secretary, Mr E. A. England, and, indeed, all concerned, did everything to make the afternoon pass pleasantly. The procession, which opened the programme, was remarkable for the manner in which the double line of swimmera was preserved. The tub races were productive of much amusement, several of the navigators evidently being mere tyros in the art of propelling such awkward craft. The long dive was won by Mr F. W. Francis, who did not riso to the surface till he had gone the whole length of the bath and more than half way back. The steeplechase, over or under two floating " hurdles," brought out ten competitors, but they were speedily disposed of till the race was narrowed down to three —Messrs Aulsebrook, Dallas, and Booth, who came in as named, but with very slight interval between them. The plunging competition was well won by Mr George Booth, with a distance of 30ft 7in, beating the next best by 19in. The 100 yards scratch race was splendidly contested, the first heat being won by Mr Alexander, with Mr Dallas second, the second heat being a dead heat between the same two, and the third heat resulting in a close finish, of which, however, Dall*» 3 got the best. Water polo, and the race in Ordinary attire, were very amusing, the notions of some as to what was the meaning of " ordinary attire " being wonderfully startling to those not in the secret. One gentleman blacked his face for the occasion, while moro than one donned false moustaches, while billycock hats and frock coats of various patterns and materials were conspicuous. Very interesting were the examples shown of how to save the drowning, the proper way being emphasized by the showing of an improper way. Diving for plates, nine of which had been scattered over the bottom of the bath, resulted in victory for Mr A. Aulsebrook, who brought up no fewer than seven of the nine. The last item on the programme was a " tug of war," in which two couples competed, but with a result that, was not long doubtful. The following is the result of the various events: — Tub Race.—For the first heat eight competed, in pairs, with the result that Green beat England, Y. Aulsebrook beat F. Hopper, W. H. Hopper beat W. Lamb, and T.Taylor beat A. Aulsebrook. Forthe second heat T. Taylor beat T. Aulsebrook, England beat W. H. Hopper, and for the third heat T. Taylor beat England. In these races there was a great diversity of practice, Bome sitting with their^ legs inside and some with their legs outside the tubs, some paddling forwards and some backwards. Long Dive. —F. W. Francis, 1; J. Sargent, 2. The winner covered about 40 yards, winning easily. Steeplechase. —A. Aulsebrook, 1; Dallas, 2 j Booth, 3. Ten entered the water together, but they soon tailed off, and the finish was a close one for the three. The distance was 100 yards, with equivalent to eight hurdles, and the time was lmin 47£sec. Plunging. —George Booth, 30ft 7in, 1; A. Aulsebrook, 29ft, 2; W. G. Potter, 28ft 9in, 3. There were three other competitors, two of whom did excellent work. 100 Yabdß Scbatch Race. —This was in heats. In the first heat two threes competed, with the result that Alexander and Dallas were first and second in one instance, and A. Aulsebrook and J. Sargent were first and second in the other. In the second heat Aulsebrook and Sargent gave up before the close, and the other two made a dead heat. Alexander preserved a steady, ordinary stroke, but Dallas resorted for the most part to the side stroke. Time: lmin 34|sec. The third heat was cut down to a single length of the bath, and was splendidly contested. Alexander abandoned his former style, and adopted the tactics of his opponent, but was unable to beat him, Dallas winning by a, foot or so. Wateb Polo. —For this there were five on each side, captained respectively by E. A. England and A. Francis. At the change of ends W. H. Hopper took the place of England. The goal was won by A. Francis, with a good throw from near the middle of one side of the bath. Race in Obdinaby Attibe. —A. Francis, 1; A. Aulsebrook, 'S. A motley crew of seven raced, and caused plenty of fun. Rescue os* Dbowning. —A. Aulsebrook, 1; F. W. Francis and W. H. Hopper also competed. Tke winner and Francis did their work most effectually, and the "drowning" man, the Captain of the dub, took the opportunity of explaining wherein tneir excellencies consisted. Diving fob Plates. —A. Aulseorook, 1. Only one other competed. The winner brought up seven plates, beating his opponent by four. Tug of Wab. —A. Aulsebrook and Dallas contended with J. Alexander and W. Wallace*, and won without much difficulty.