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Story: Swimming

A champion swimmer

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A champion swimmer

In 1892 H. J. (Birt) Bailey of Auckland was New Zealand's champion swimmer. The previous year he had won three out of four national swimming titles. He is depicted here wearing medals he won in 1892 for the 100 yards, half-mile, 50 yards and 150-yard handicap, along with his 1891 medal for the 220 yards.

Using this item

National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past

Reference: Observer, 19 March 1892, p. 16

Permission of the National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

John McBeth, Swimming – Local competition, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/40208/a-champion-swimmer (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by John McBeth, published 30 November 2012, updated 27 January 2015.