LIFE-SAVING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18236, 21 November 1924, Page 10

LIFE-SAVING.

SYDNEY VISITOR'S VIEW

Mr E. E. Salmon, . honorary treasurer of the Royal Life Saving Society of the New South Wales head centre, is at present on a visit to Auckland. In the course of a conversation with a representative of the "Star," Mr Salmon expressed his appreciation of the manner in which life saving work is being pushed ahead in New Zealand. He stated that in New South Wales, which, was the parent from which had sprung all branches in Australia, the society h«d built up a very large organisation extending throughout the length and breadth of that State, and which in the residts was second only to the London head centre. Last'vear it hr.d 177 honorary instructors taking part, and had issued' 4531 awards. The support it obtained from the public wos large in comparison with most branches, but in this connexion the public and Government support was not what it should, be, and it was heart-breaking to see the small measure of financial assistance accorded the many branches of the society which was doing such wonderful work.

"Is there no Government gw-ntP" "Well, there is, but it is only a small one," said Mr Salmon, "our society gets £2OO per ajinum and the Surf Association another similar sum." There -are Surf Clubs on each l>each around the waterfront of Sydney. They are purely voluntary affairs, mostly rnn by younrr fellows who patrol the beaches on Saturday afternoon, Sunday, and an holidays for the purpose of being handy to save lives. It is a most self-sacrificing work, displaying a true appreciation. of the spirit of citizenship. Both young men and young women are giving their time to this noble work. With such men and women, I feel we need'have no apprehension of the future of Australia or the Empire. Most of- the members of the surf clubs,work during the day in offices and elsewhere, yet • in the evenings they are on the beaches during the time the people are swimming. All of them' have been members of the Eoyal : Life : Saying Society.

"I understand that in New Zealand surf work is directly coupled with the Society, but in New South Wales the work, having been started by this Society, was afterwards taken over by the Surf Association of New South Wales, a body formed from the original clubs started by ' the Society. That body now controls the surf work in New South Wales. The principal surf clubs make it compulsory, for their members to obtain the E.L.S.S. awards as well as their surf awards, and where not compulsory many others do so voluntarily, recognising them as being essential to any man who would be considered a fully-qualified life-saver. ■ Mr Salmon referred with pride to the fact that "Boy" Charlton, who won the 1500 metres swim at the Olympic Games in France, and also Dick Eve, winner of the jumping.dive, graduated in the ranks of the Eoy.al LifeSaving Society. "Manly," he said, "is as you know a dangerous beach. Well, we have three surf clubs there, and there is a rel as well as a surf boat. The work. of our Society is not, however, confined to sea beaches. We have clubs inland at still waters to teach life : saving. Safety first is our idea of the work of this Society. .All the work is honorary, with the exception of a paid secretary. We have just got our Boyal charter from England."

SUMNER LIFE-SAVING CLUB. '. A meeting of tie committee of the Sumner Life-Saving Club was held last evening, Mr T. Ncwburgh presiding oyer »•. good attendance. " Twenty-four new members were elected, making the total membership 335. " The secretary reported ithat tickets for the art union had sold very well, and already over JE4O had been collected. The matter of arranging and erecting stalla for a carnival was left to Mr Buttle. The chairman reported that the Mayor would officially declare .the season open. The attractions for the opening day carnival will include echute, pony ridea, toy stall, variety,- produce, flower, sweets, and ice cream stalls. The Sumner Band will provide music during.the afternoon, and in ithe evening the art union and raffles will be drawn.