THE C. U. S.C. BATHING-SHED (Photographed by A. T. Masterman, Pres. C. U.S.C.) polo brought about the first match with Oxford. The club is affiliated to the Midland District Association of the A.S.A., whilst Oxford is affiliated to the Southern District Association of that body. The bathing-sheds at Cambridge are only used in summer, but there is a good scheme for a public bath now being promulgated, and if the matter be taken up energetically, it will doubtless result in material benefit to the club.
The bathing-shed is a long, low building, with a frontage of about one hundred and twenty feet to the river. It affords accommodation for about a hundred and twenty bathers, and is provided with a committee-room. At the back of the shed is a large enclosed area of grass land, on which are erected horizontal and parallel bars, swings, hurdles, trapeze, &c.
There is a large diving tree with steps up to about fifteen feet ; running-header and spring-boards are also provided. The racing course has a fairly straight reach of 120 yards. All
races up to 120 yards are swum down stream, and the stream is reckoned to make an average difference from bath swimming of about 5 secs. each hundred yards. Races of a distance over 120 yards are swum over a course of 110 yards up and down stream to the required length.
There are three challenge cups competed for annually at Cambridge. The One Hundred Yards Cup was presented in 1887 by Mrs. Beevor, in memory of her son, H. M. Beevor, B.A., Trinity Hall.
The Quarter-Mile Challenge Cup was presented in 1873 by Mr. J. C. Miller, of Jesus College.
The Steeplechase (Land and Water) Challenge Cup was presented by Mr. E.• H. Rawlins, of Peterhouse, in 1884, but until 1891 the race was decided on handicap terms. In 1891 it was made a scratch race. The steeplechase usually consists of six flights of hurdles, a mud dyke, a number of loose barrels, a pegged- down tarpaulin—all on land—and about one hun dred yards in water, with two barges to climb over, and three poles.