Swimming Carnival

The past season has been one of the most successful which the Swimming Club has experienced, and it was fitting that it should close with the best Carnival for years. A good crowd, splendid fields in the interesting and varied events, an element of mystery in the act of Professor Ah Mihk, and some close finishes made the evening very enjoyable.

The surprise of the evening was the result of the Club 100 yards Championship. Where Taylor beat O'Flynn by three seconds in a thrilling final, the two swimmers turning together into the last lap. "Salient" awaits with great interest the race between these two crack swimmers in the 220 and 440 yards Club Championship.

The novelty event was very entertaining. Those courageous enough to enter for it were compelled to swim one length of the baths, blow a balloon up till it burst, and then swim a further length. Hamilton, the strongest swimmer in the race, was provided will an extra large balloon, which expanded to an enormous size. "Salient" strongly suspects that he did the dirty deed with a pin.

The ladies of the Club are of a retiring nature—indeed, most of them seemed to have retired! Miss A. Sargisson won the 50yds. Ladies' Club Championship well, but her time (40 sees.) was slow, and the times in the handicap races were equally mediocre.

Professor Ah Mihk, a yogi (?), Professor (?) of Occult Science (?), delighted the audience with a remarkable demonstration of his art. Clad in a sheet and a pair of spectacles, the Professor, his hands firmly bound, was placed in an examined black sack, which uncomfortably resembled a shroud. Mr. Bradshaw, the assistant from the audience, tied the neck or the sack very firmly with a piece of rope, and the Professor leaped into the deep end of the baths. In four seconds he reappeared on the surface, the bag under his arm. How on earth?—and their wonder grew when the professor handed the sack round for examination. No holes, no trap-doors, all done by kindness!

The C Team had rather a nerve to challenge the A Team in water-polo, but, apparently boldened by the A Team's series of defeats, they did so. The final result—three goals to one in favour of the A's might, however, have been expected, the game was rather patchy, with a few bright splashes here and there.

The usual Club Night—the last of the season—will be held next Wednesday. These Club Nights are miniature Carnivals—there are handicap and championship races, a dive, and a novelty event. All those who enjoyed the Swimming Carnival, all who ought to have been there but who were not, and all interested in swimming, are invited to be present at 7.30 p.m. at Thorndon Baths next Wednesday.

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