SURF LIFE-SAVING

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 27, 27 October 1942, Page 6

SURF LIFE-SAVING

Annual Meeting Of N.Z. Association The annual meeting of the New Zealand Surf Life-Saving Association was held iu 'Wellington on Sunday, Mr. P. Coirn presiding. Delegates were present from Auckland, Canterbury, Otago, Tara*itaki and Wellington. It was decided to continue the patrolling of beaches wherever possible. Military duties had meant a heavy call on the'adult members throughout New Zealand, it was stated, but with those still available through the essential nature of their work and for other reasons, together with the younger members, it was felt, that a good deal of patrol work could still be done.

The effect of the war on resusitatiou work was shown by statistics. Whereas the resuscitation certificates issued throughout the 200 branches iu the British Empire and America during 1938 had totalled 475, New Zealand alone iu the past year had issued 2000. Before the war the average number issued iu this country would be about 20. The remarkable increase, it was suggested, was brought about by the far grater appreciation in war time of the instructional work which was being done by the society. The Auckland delegate said that instructional work in that area, with the E.P.S. and other organizations directly interested, covered something like 30,000 people. That extensive coverage came from a group of 40 instructors who,_ in turn, coached others to act in a similar capacity. The following officers were elected : — President, Mr. P. Coira; vice-president, Mr. W. H. Gerrie; secretary and treasurer, Mr. N. A. Ingram; instructor-in-chief, Mr. P. D. Edwards; registrar aud publicity officer, Mr. J. C. Blakeley; delegate to Dominion Council of the K.L.S.S., Mr. G. D. Griffiths (Christchurch) ; delegate to the N.Z.A.S.A. Council, Mr. 11. 8. Feast (Christchurch) ; delegates to the national committee of Swimming and Life-saving. Messrs. V. L. Allan and J. O. Howarth. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Council of the Royal Life-Saving Society was also held. Appreciative reference was made to the increase in artificial respiration instruction. Authority was given the society to establish subbranches in the larger centres. The election of officers resulted as follows :—Vice-patron of the Royal EifeSaviug Society, the Governor-General. Sir Cyril Newali; vice-patrons New Zealand Council, Dr. T. 11. Pettit and Messrs. G. E. Billson, IT. 11. Henderson and N. A. Ingram; president, Mr. G. D. Griffiths; vice-president, Mr. L. TV. J. Clarkson; hon. secretary, Mr. J. Breward; hon. treasurer and award secretary, Mr. I’. J. Glnckin; councillors, Messrs. P. G. Bumford (Hawke’s Bay), C. F. Barnett (Canterbury). G. E. Billson (Wanganui), H. J. Bailey (vice A. T. Balam, Taranaki, granted leave of absence), J. Breward (Manawatu), L. W. J. Clarkson (Auekland, F. J. Glackin (Otago), G. D. Griffiths (N.Z.S.L.S.A.), and J. B. O Neill (■Wellington); hon. auditor, Mr. P. R. Smith; delegates to N.Z.S.L.S.A., Mr. J. O. Howarth; delegates to national committee of swimming and life-saving, Messrs. W. H. Gerrie and N. A. Ingram; hon. solicitors, Messrs. Johnston, White and Chumpion.