LIFE-SAVING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 975, 16 November 1910, Page 8

LIFE-SAVING.

ARRIVAL- OF MR, W. HENRY. A TALK ABOUT SWIMMING.. .. Mr. W. Henry, founder and secretary of the-Royal Life-Saving Society, who is 011. a visit to New Zealand, reached Wellington, from Napier last night, and was met by-members of the local branch of the society. Since bis arrival in the Dominion early last , week, Mr. . Henry has visited several centred arid conducted examinations in life-saving, and it was with a view to obtaining his opinion about i New' Zealand swimmers that a reporter called.on him last night. . From* what he has seen up to the present, the visitor considers that too lictle 'attention is'-given to the breast stroke and the back stroke, which are by far the best styles for endurance swimming. The general stroke in Netr Zealand seems.to be .something between, the "crawl"': and the "trudgeon." The- society does ! not wish to interfere with the pleasure of raicing, but for itV own. work it encourages the use of the br'eastand the back strokes, # which are the most -useful. ; It also strives to cultivate precision. among its pupils, as a good style means less •exertion to. the swimmer. When conducting examinations . in New Zealand, Mr. Henry discovered that when part of the test was over many of the candidates • wanted to. sit down and "blow," but, of that would not do, as. the examination had to proceed. It appears, however, that more than .one candidate was unable to complete the' test on account of. sad lack of condition. As far as correctness of style went, he has seen ? swimmers in the Dominion, up to ■ the "present who properly knois the breast stroke, and.yet several of .the best swimmers have taken part in tho lifesaving tests. There are two swimmers in jNapier for whom Mr. Henry has a special word of praise. They are Messrs. A. Russell and.F. Darling, who taught lifesavingm Napier. Their classes were the best -the visitor has so, far seen irt. Aus--1 tralasia. Tho two instructors gained all their knowledge from tho Royal Life- . Society's handbook, and this, the visitor considers, is excellent testimony of the value of the book. . ' • , As the society • does not teach lifea sport, it does not necessarily depend on the Swimming Association, but there is practically a Tecommeiidation for each branch to affiliate with .the local centre of the association, and the English society sets an example by. affiliation with the association, which is the governing body. Immediately the Royal Life-Savin? society conducts competitions it at once co.mes under the jurisdiction of the association, .and must obserre its rules Membsrehip of the society-dees not rive permission to take part in swimming competitions. Every member, who wishes to race, must join a swimming club. One privilege a member of- any branch of the society has, however, is that he may attend the annual general meeting of the i English Society if he happens to be at Home at the time. It v;as mainly owing to a i\ew Zealander exercising this rieht and suggesting that -Mr. Henry should come to the. colonies, that the visitor is m Wellington, at the present" moment.'