LIFE SAVING

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 137, 8 December 1930, Page 6

LIFE SAVING

MARANUf CLUB

NEW PAVILION OPENED

Contrary to expectations, the weather was perfect on Saturday afternoon for the opening of the Maranui LifeSaving and Surf Club's new pavilion. The season of the club was also officially opened. Gaily coloured flags flying from the new pavilion and the large number of people on the foreshore gave the appearance of a gala; The new pavilion contains three rooms—a dressing-room, a library and reading-room, and an executive-room. The appointments are very fine indeed. On top of the building is a balustrade, "which will servo as a look-out for the men on duty. In welcoming the visitors, the president of the club (Mr. T. Qucree) said that the new club-house had been the dream of members for many years, and be was glad that the dream had now materialised. After apologising for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup), Mr. M. Luckie, who performed the opening ceremony, said that he, as a member of the City Council, admired the self-re-liance, self-help, and independence which the members of the Maranui'LifeSaving Club had displayed. There was not an institution of its kind in Wellington, or even in New Zealand, that had done so much to help itself, and the citizens were indebted to it for the public service it had performed since it was formed about 20 years ago. Since its inception the club had won more prizes for efficiency than any other club in Wellington, and as many as any other in New Zealand. No one could fail to appreciate the great service it was rendering to the citizens of Wellington, and it deserved all the assistance it could get. Bathing and sea sports •were the most effective means for preserving the health of the younger generation. In conclusion, Mr. Luckie congratulated the members of the club on their efforts, and said that the City Council would give all the assistance it could in helping the cause of life-saving. After congratulating the members of the club, Mr. R. SempJe, M.P., said that the opening of the new rooms was j a memorable function. The new building represented the crystallised efforts j of 20 years. Life-saving men gave j their services voluntarily, and spent! hours on duty on the forcsiiorc. Mr. Semple said he understood that on one occasion seven lives were saved on the Lyall Bay foreshore in one day. He hoped the club's efforts would be crowned with success, and assured members that he would do anything he could do to help it. The Hon. H. Atmorc (Minister of Education) also congratulated the members on their new club-house, and spoke of the splendid work done by lifesaving men. Until, the recent depression, Governments in New Zealand had assisted swimming by giving subsidies, on a £1 for £1 basis, up to £200, for the making of school baths. Many of the school committees in New Zealand had availed themselves of that subsidy, and as a result every boy and girl was being taught how to swim. At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Atinore presented diplomas to the following scwimmers: Mrs. M. Andrews (formerly Miss Landon Lane), Miss S. Breen, and Miss N. Webber. Miss Breen was also presented 'with the Royal Life-Saving Badge. During the afternoon members of the club gave an exhibition of an alarm rescue:, in which a surf boat was used. • After afternoon tea had been served, the annual competition for the Queree Cup for life-saving waa held. This event, which consisted of rescue work by means of life-saving- reels, was watched with great interest by the visitors, and members of the teams were warmly complimented on tho expeditions way in which they carried out. the rescue work. Four teams competed for the cup, which was won by the D team, with a -total of 89* points. B team was second with. 87 points, and A team third with 82 points. Tho 'winning team consisted of E. A. Raven (captain), T. Hewitt (belt), A. H. De Costa (reel), J. Lyon (line), and J. M. Kelly (patient). Mr. C...W. Thomas, a member of the Island Bay Life-Saving and Surf Club, acted as judge.