Life-Saving ENTRY RESTRICTION AT N.Z. TITLES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29498, 27 April 1961, Page 17

Life-Saving ENTRY RESTRICTION AT N.Z. TITLES

Restriction of entries In the six-man rescue and resuscitation events at the national surf championships had had an adverse effect on the movement, some members said at a meeting of the Canterbury Surf Life-saving Association last evening. A remit from the Taylor’s Mistake Club, asking that each club have the right to enter one team in the rescue and resuscitation events in future, will be sent to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Association in July for consideration. Another remit from the South Brighton Club saying that entries should not be restricted, was lost.

As a direct result of the decision made at the last annual meeting of the New Zealand Association to restrict entries in the rescue and resuscitation events, two Wellington clubs had virtually “folded up” after Christmas, said Mr G. Sylvester. There was not a tremendous number of persons who could carry out a rescue under difficult conditions and so the incentive for clubs to train should not be taken away. Mr C. O’Neill did not agree. He said that the incentive was there. “I think the association did the right thing in restricting entries. Clubs were not able to send teams to the national championships because they did not train, he said. “I can’t for the life of me see why a club should fold up because it could not get to the national championships.” said Mr S. B. Mason. “It just doesn’t make sense.” he said. The main job of a club was to patrol the beach. The decision had been made in error and had caused a lot of strife, said Mr R. George. It had been made because there were too many clubs entering for the events but the organisation had been streamlined and should be able to cope with the entry.

The Nelson Shield for senior six-man rescue and resuscitation was the main event. If any events should be pruned, they should be the lesser ones. Mr George said. Sponsorship A decision to write to the New Zealand association, asking tor a definition of amateurism and how the sponsorship of individuals in th* surf movement affected it, was made. In bringing the matter before the meeting, Mr G. S. Brockett said that amateurism and whether a person should be sponsored to championships or go under his “own steam.” should be

discussed. It would be a suitable subject to raise at the annual meeting of the New Zealand association, either this year or next Other sports throughout New Zealand were at present considering the sponsoring of individuals, he said. A remit asking that all telecast matters be controlled by the national body, will be referred to the annual meeting of the New Zealand association Reels Withdrawn The chairman (Mr F. L. Mitchell) said the portable reels which had been placed on North Canterbury beaches by the association had been withdrawn for the winter last week-end. They would be overhauled and painted. A grant of £l5 was received from the Waimairi County Council for the portable reel at Spencer Park beach. The following nominations were made for officers of the New Zealand association:— President, Mr F. H. Jackson; deputy-president, Mr S B Mason; general secretary. Mr C. T. Jones. Mr Mitchell was appointed a delegate to the annual meeting.