AQUATICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 792, 11 May 1905, Page 14

AQUATICS.

(By ** Th® Reefer.”'

The sailing season has virtually ended, and quite a number of yachts are already out of commission. Last Saturday proved such a beautiful day that a fair number of yachts were under-weigh, but in a very little time all the mooring grounds will be deserted and the pleasure fleet hauled up for the winter.' • * * *

The Auckland Rowing Club’s annual smoke concert has been lixed to take place on Mav 31.

Owners of power launches should read the “Motor and Cycle Journal,” which up-to-date monthly paper will devote considerable space to their interests.

It is almost certain (says a Sydney exchange) that Towns and Stanbury will agree to a date for their race this week, and a substantial deposit made. Towns has not had any rowing yet,, but will be afloat this week. Stanbury is going well, and is regular in his work, which is fairly solid. He seems able to run away from Bourke, and his boat runs as well as when he was champion. Towns will require a lot of building up before he can stand any fast work, as he is thin, and has been over-worked at his trade. It is hoped that the race can be fixed up tb be rowed on the Parramatta course. • • • ♦ On Saturday the annual eight-oar race between the various States of the Commonwealth will take place on the Parramatta River, Sydney. No less than six of the States will be represented, so that a verv fine race should result. As a rule thefie ‘ contests have proved rather soft “an ftp s’ for Victoria, but it is said that the men from the Yarra are not quite so formidable as of yore. * Several novel events are in contemplation by the promoters of the motor boat races in Monaco this year, and not the least interesting is the proposal to despatch 4000 or 5000 carrier pigeons, immediately aft?r the motor boat race for the Prince of Monaco’s Cup, to all parts of France with the results. * * * * B. B. Kieran, the crack Australian swimmer; left for England on Saturday.

He has gone at the invitation of the Royal Life Saving Society. This institution, with its branches in almost every part of the civilised world, exists for the humane purpose of saving life. In order to acquire perfection a regular course of instruction and training is followed, and successful candidates are awarded certificates and medallions, according to their proficiency. Until within six weeks ago the society was known as the Life Saving Society. Now His Majesty the King, m recognition of the magnificent work which has been and is being performed, has granted the right to use the word Royal in the title. Two or three years ago His Majesty presented for competition the King’s Cup, to be won over two distances, 150 and 440 yards, and open to the world, under conditions which are considered best in the interests of lifesaving. e

The present holder of the cup is a Swede, and in order to retain possession in that country competitions are being held in various centres of population, and in the end a final will be held to determine the representative of Sweden.

The following are the conditions of the Royal Life Saving Society’s tests: The competition shall comprise two rescue contests. If in still water, one over a distance of not more than 150 yards breast stroke; and the other 440 yards any stroke. If in running or tidal water, the distance in each case may be increased at the discretion of the executive. In each distance the subject to be rescued shall be carried not less than 20 yards or more than 50 yards. In the shorter distance the subject shall be carried by the second method of rescue, and in the longer distance by the first method of rescue, and in each case as described in the Handbook of Instruction of the Life Saving Society. The position of the competitors in the contest shall be decided by points, awarded as follow: The competitor finishing first, 15 points; second, 10 points; third, 8 points; fourth, 6 points; all other competitors to finish, 2 points. The first three shall each receive a gold medal and a diploma. A silver medal shall be awarded tothe first three in each test other than those taking gold medals.