SURF GEAR SAID TO BE OUTDATED AT OHOPE BEACH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 84, 11 January 1950, Page 5

SURF GEAR SAID TO BE OUTDATED AT OHOPE BEACH

Warned that in the event of a major drowning disaster at Ohope much of the present outdated gear would be almost useless the Whakatane Sxirf Club has commenced strenuous efforts to raise funds to purchase the necessary equipment. Told by senior surf instructors of the Auckland Surf Life Saving Association, Messrs S. Bonnici and D. Branch, that they would need to improve the gear considerably before the beach could be considered adequately patrolled the club has gone to an immense amount of effort to raise the cash. Like other similar bodies that patrol New Zealand beaches the Whakatane Club is a voluntary body and members have few ways of raising funds. Equipment must be paid for and as an indication of the costs today the price of a fully equipped reel is about £36. All this money has to be found by the club. Yesterday a voluntary subscription list was commenced and already £7 17s has been donated. This Will be carried on for some time yet and an appeal is being made to the public to subscribe well to help provide new gear. On Sunday when the Bay of Plenty surf championships are held at Ohope the public will be given an opportunity to subscribe to the fund then. The following is the subscription list so far received:—

Rex Morpeth £2 2s, F. Milne £1 Is, G. Washer £1 Is, Cutlers Hardware (C. Hudson) £1 Is, Morpeth Ltd. £1 Is, Rivett £1 Is, B. L. Butler ss, Dickson (Ohope) ss. Total, £7 17s.

Donations may be lf*ft at the Beacon Office or with the Surf Club secretary.