ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 25 November 1930, Page 16

ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY.

REPORT ON YEAR'S WORK. 'Die New Zealand Council of the Koyal Life-Saving Society has issued its annual report and balance-sheet for tlie year ending September 30th, 1930. The report shows that thero has been a slight falling-ofl in the number ot awards issued during the year, tho total being 2958 as against 3328 in the previous year. This l'alling-ofi is accounted lor by the very short period of hot bathing weather last summer. The awards issued by tho different centres are : Wanganui UJ9, Taranaki 320, Wellington 7<i/, Canterbury 062, Auckland 4-Mj, and Otago 15-1. There are no returns to hand from llawke's Bay. The Wigram Shield, which is awarded to the centre gaining most points pro rata to the population, hajs been won for the fourth time in succession by the Wanganui head centre with 1880 points, Taranaki being runner-up with 1111 points. Championship Winners. Ot the various championships, Maranui Surf Club won the Nelson Shield, Lyall Buy tho Henry Memorial, and J. ltlakeley (Lvall Bay) the Cnampion Beltrnanship. Mention is also made of the fact that the Wanganui head centre gained fourth place in the William Henry Memorial Cup Competition, in competition with centres throughout the British Empire. The cup was won by the Sheffield Branch in England. The report contains the message sent bv the King to the central executive of tiie society, London, congratulating the society on its work. It is also reported that the annual conference was held in Greymouth, and among tho matters dealt with was a redrafting of the rules for the New Zealand Championship Surf Competition (Nelson Shield). The 1931 championships and tho conference will bo held in Wanganui. In reference to the practical result of the society's work, it is stated that tlie last season did not bring forth such an appalling lot of drownings as tho previous season. A paragraph taken from the Wanganui Centre's report, states that it is estimated that deaths from drowning have been reduced by 50 per cent, since the establishment of the society. Work of Head Centres. Dealing with the head centres individually, it is stated that the Auckland head centre had domestic troubles during the season which must have lvimpered its work. The other centres 1 ' d all done good work, Otago having annexed the only dmloma issued. * The balance-sheet disclosed careful handling of the amount of money • v-ulnl>le. One hundred pounds' worth a f'stock v.ms purchased from London, ♦hU lieui" for the society's certificates, Kro, modal lions, and badges; £lB2 worth of certificates, etc.. was sold to is to be presented at the annual meeting on Tuesday evening.