PROPER ALARM BELL NEEDED.

Evening Star, Issue 19796, 21 February 1928, Page 4

PROPER ALARM BELL NEEDED.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,-—The series of misfortunes at St. Clair last night, culminating in the drowning of Thomas Dick, clearly demonstrates tho. necessity of tho immediate provision of a proper alarm bell. This is tho .second occasion on which the services of trained members of the life-saving teams were required when unfortunately none happened to bo on tho beach. Great credit is duo to tho courageous manner in which Messrs Sparrow, Wylie, and Fulton and Miss E. Holland went to the assistance of the bathers who were in difficulty, especially when it is remembered that the rescuers had little or no experience in handling the life-saving reel. Yet within a radius of a quarter of a mile of the beach were competent lifesavers who could have been on the beach within two minutes bad they known that there were bathers in difficulties. The alarm bells on tho beach and at the club are too small to be heard more than a short distance away. What is required is a largo lirebell erected right on the esplanade—a bell which would summon life-savers (many of whom own motor cycles or cars) from all over St. Clair when their services were required. We are satisfied that, had the alarm been given by this means, a dozen of our best men would have been on the spot within a few minutes, and in all probability the tragedy averted. We therefore urge the City Council to assist tho honorary work of the Life Saving Club by taking immediate steps to re-erect at St. Clair one of the disused firebclls, which wo are sure the Fire Board would be only too pleased to donate, and so minimise the dangers of surf-bathing.—We are, etc., Cecil B. Lewis (Captain St. Clair Life Saving and Bathing Club). John L. M'lndoe (President Otago Centre, N.Z.A.S.A.). February 21.