SAFETY AT ST. CLAIR

Evening Star, Issue 19797, 22 February 1928, Page 2

SAFETY AT ST. CLAIR

IS CITY COUNCIL DOING ITS DUTY? DISCUSSION BY DUNEDIN RATEPAYERS The feeling expressed by members ol the Dunedin Ratepayers’ Association at their monthly meeting last evening was to the-cffect that the safety of holiday makers, particularly bathers, was not a matter which concerned St. Clair alone,-but was really one which in the interests of the city generally should be fathered by the City Council. Mr A. E. Ansell, after referring to correspondence relative to the subject, which appeared in the 1 Star,’ stated that it had been his opinion for some time that the association should ask the corporation to take more interest in St. Clair Beach, which, incidentally, was one of the finest in New Zealand. Until quite lately it had heeu much neglected, but fortunately a body of public-spirited men had taken the matter up, with the result that a successuil carnival had been held to raise *ujjus for the beach’s improvement. The tramways department drew a considerable revenue from persons visiting St. Clair, and from that point of view the council ought to take more practical interest. He suggested that the association should go into the question and ask the council to interest itself in safety measures, for it could quite easily engage permanent patrolmen tor the bathing season. Tho question of expense should not be brought in. Ho had heard it said by one citizen that the subject was nuitc a St. Clair matter. but this was by no means the case Mr H. Hallidav. after agreeing that it was not St. Clair’s business alone., said that the actual residents there appreciated tho dangers which were to be encountered on the beach, and they realised the importance of keeping within tho flag area. Almost every person who had been in difficulties had been outside the flags. In explaining how those flags were placed, he stated that every morning, between the hours of 5 and 7, a number of young men, little more than boys, devoted much time to sounding the water and deciding where the safety zone lay. Many people, some snugly seated in motor cars on the esplanade, watched the young fellows at their work and criticised them. The Bile Saving Club supplied all its own gear, and had had no help from the residents, ft was high time the public realised what it owed to the boys of St. Clair, and ho felt lie was safe in saying that at least one life a week had been saved, the incidents not having results_ serious enough for publication. The City Council should accept some responsibility. Tn the past the tramways department had shouldered tho burdens. However, ho could not agree that the council had neglected St. Clair altogether. Tho speaker considered that every young life was worth £3OO to this district, although that matter might be open to dispute. Ho could get a man immediately who would throw up bis ordinary occupation in order to carry out the duties of permanent patrolman. Mr Ansell suggested that a sub-com-mittce should discuss the question with the Life Saving Club with a view to approaching the City Council. Mr Cooper; Is the council going to subsidise the carnival funds? Bathing accommodation is badly needed. _

Voice (among several uncertain mur mnrs) : Yes. Mr Halliday: Thirty thousand bathers have used our club rooms. Finally Mr Ansell’s suggestion was put as a motion and carried, the subcommittee being Messrs Ansell, Halliday, and Duncan.