Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Tuesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1945

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 53, 2 March 1945, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Tuesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1945

THORNTON BEACH

QUESTION OF DANGER

NOTICES TO BE ERECTED At the instigation of the mother of a victim in a recent drowning accident at Thornton Beach, the Whakatane County Council last Tuesday decided to refer the question of erecting suitable notices along the beach to the Thornton Domain Board offering at the time to give sympathetic consideration to any representations the board might make under this head. "We are not taking this matter seriously enough " objected Cr McCready. "Every day there are losses by drowning and I think the only Avay to overcome it is to make certain. defined areas where bathing is, not permitted. I consider we should bring this, matter before the authorities in New Zealand so as, to force them to take suitable action to safeguard our young lives." He considered that whereas Ohope was very safe the danger area above the 9 ° Heads extended almost to Otamarakau. The Chairman: I don't see how you are going to stop them from bathing if they want to go in. Cr McCrcady: Well, we can at least make a start. Cr McCracken: There are reasonably safe places all the way up the coast, but they are dependant 011 the tides. Cr Burt: This would be a bad advertisement for Thornton and we don't want to unduly emphasise the danger Avhich only really exists when big seas are running. It is dangerous anywhere, at such times. The Chairman agreed that it would be advisable to put up a warning notice pointing out the danger that existed at certain tidal variations. The matter was left at that and the recommendation of the Works Committee with regard to the Domain Board adopted.