LET THE LINE ALONE!

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1858, 18 September 1913, Page 11

LET THE LINE ALONE!

INTERFERENCE IN LIFE-SAVING. Interference in life-saving cases at Lyall Bay and elsewhere by mombers of the public has a dangerous side. The matter is referred to in tho annual report of the Maranui Life-saving Club as follows:— "Tho work of tho Tescuers," states tho report, "was, on certain occasions! greatly hindered by tho general public who, in a natural desire to bo of assistance, persisted in taking hold of tho lino when tlio patient was being brought ashoro. Apart from tho fact that the interforenco of laymen obviously precludes_ response to signals by linesmen, thero is danger, when a rescue party is being brought ashore too quickly, of their being dragged under. Tho patient's struggles in such circumstances might cause tho bcltman to lose his grip, or the beltman himself might become exhausted and bo unable to cope with the patient's strucgles, with obvious consequences. Moreover, tho stranger to life-saving with belt and lino knows nothing of tho art of shooting beltman and patient shorowards on a breaker —a very valuable knowledge in surf life-saving. Thanks to tho attention of the City Council to the club's overtures, there is now in force a breach by-law by which officers of surf clubs have authority to prevent the publio interfering during rescues. It is intended in the future to tako full advantage of this authority." This passage of the report concludes: "Prominent citizens have stated directIv to the secretary that, knowing tho ability of tho surf clubs and of tho appliances upon tho'beach, thoy have no hesitation in allowing their wives and children to'visit tho bay for the purpose of bathing. This eoiifidcnco is good and clearly indicates that the City Council, in encouraging and aiding our work, is by no means making an extravagant expenditure of publio moneys.'