LIFE SAVING

Evening Star, Issue 22142, 24 September 1935, Page 5

LIFE SAVING

ST. CLAIR CLUB'S ANNUAL MEETING The seventh annual meeting of the St. Clair Surf Life Saving « Club was held in the club pavilion last nignt, the president (Mr H. H. Henderson) presiding over a large attendance or members. , ~11. The annual report showed that tne club maintained the safety or t e public on the beach, and had at the same time fully upheld the club 8-excel-lent record in local competitions, rne membership of the club stood at ou, which was approximately the_ same as the previous season. During tne season seven new members were enrolled, and while this was not so large as last season, the club’s policy of fostering the interest of the schoolboys or the district should rectify this matter during the coming season. Active swimmers were still required, and members should keep on the look-out and endeavour to enroll unattached swimmers. The following represented St. Clair at the annual competition held at Sumner on February 5:—V • >’• Jarvis (support), D. Shanahan (beltman), H. Lewis (first linesman), C. Gladwin (second linesman), H. James, (third linesman), J. Swan (reelman), C. Saxton (instructor). Sumner entered five teams. The weather conditions were perfect, the sea being rather too calm for a real surf test. The St. Clair .team gave a fine performance, securing first place. W. Jarvis gained the fastest time, and D. Shanahan gained the second fastest time for beltman. The hospitality of the Sumner Club was much appreciated. The Otago championships, which were held at St. Clair, proved to be a very successful meeting. St. Clair entered two six-men teams and Oreti one. The weather was fine, and a heavy sea was running. The St. Clair No. 1 team secured first place, the personnel of the team being as follows: —C. Saxton, H. D. Gillies, W. J. Jarvis, P. Mathieson, D. Shanahan, R. Geddes, C. Durand. The surf relay was also won by St. Clair for the second time, a fine swim being put up by P. Mathieson. All teams in the competition gave a good performance, the standard of efficiency being very high. The annual competition for the Sagar Cup was held at St. Clair under ideal conditions. _ This popular four-man event was again very successful. The winning team was St. Clair No. 3, comprising H. Gillies, D. Shanahan, A. Tyrie, H. Gore. The cup was presented to the winning team by the donor, Mr T. Sagar, who congratulated the teams on the fine performances given. Towards the end of the season a competition was held at Tomahawk for a cup presented by the residents of that district. Teams from .St. Clair • and St. Kilda competed, the winning team being St. Clair No. 3, comprising the following:—C. Lewis, H. Gillies, M. Rodgerson, W. Jarvis. The following represented St. Clair at the New Zealand championships at New Plymouth:—H. Gillies, D. Shanahan, R. Geddes, P. Mathieson, C. Elliott, C. Durand, W. Jarvis, M. Rodgerson (instructor). In the sixmen event, although a winning place was not gained, the team gave a good account of itself, being second in its heatv- The No. 2 team (four men) was placed third in the final of that event, very fine swims being registered by D. Shanahan. In the surf teams race St. Clair was second, while W. J. Jarvis annexed the New Zealand Beltman’s Championship, and was the winner of the Surfman’s Championship. Thanks were due to the members of the New, Plymouth Old Boys’ Life Saving Club, who billeted the team during its stay at New Plymouth. The experience gained by the championships would undoubtedly be of great value in the future. The Beltman’s Championship was won by - D. Shanahan, with W. J. Jarvis second and J. Durand third. Several beach days were held during the year, and proved to be very popular with both the club members and the general public. As all the gear was overhauled the previous season, it was not necessary to incur any large expense in this direction. The three reels were in good condition and order. Throughout the season the life-saving teams maintained a vigilant watch, and competitions and displays were held practically every week. ■ The patrolling of the beach, the most important part of the club’s activities, was carried out in a thorough and proper manner. Mr H. Devlin was again appointed permanent patrolman, and carried out his duties in a commendable manner for a period of eight weeks. The importance of this work was recognised in a practical way by the St. Clair Improvement Association and the Dunedin City Corporation, jto which bodies the club was indebted for financial assistance. Mr H. Devlin on several occasions carried out good rescues, while Messrs C. and J. Durand were to be congratulated on their splendid attempt to rescue an unfortunate young man who had had a heart attack in the surf. In all rescues presence of mind and prompt action was displayed by all club members who assisted. During the season another story was built on to the club room and the pavilion was now one of the best in the Dominion. The cost of the additions to the building was £384, £309 being paid by the City Corporation and £75 by the club. The club was indebted to the City Corporation . for the financial assistance and support that was given in this matter. Generous financial assistance was again rendered to the chib by the St. Clair Improvement Association, which donated £25 toward the cost of the additions. Further improvements to the building were at present being carried out by the club members. While the balance-sheet showed the club to be in a very sound position, .a very strenuous year as regards finance had been experienced. The surplus money was expended in the erection of the new building and in sending a team to the New Zealand championships. The club had lost a keen supporter by the death of Mr E. L. Macassey, a vice-president for many years. The following awards were.obtained by members of the club: —Bronze _ medallion 14. surf medallion 19, surf instructors 1. The club had been well to the fore in interclub carnival and championship events, which proved that the standard of swimming was still high. The following Otago championships were annexed:—W. Jarvis (100yds and 220yds championships), C, and J. Durand (life-saving championship), H. Callender (intermediate breast stroke championship). The club congratulates W. Jarvis on his outstanding performances during the season. There was no doubt that the club was growing in usefulness and ability, said the Chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report. It was proving itself, of immense value not only _ to surfers, but to the general public. The club had done very well in competitions during the year, some excellent performances being put up. A good deal of experience had been gained as a result of the trip to New .Plymouth, the visit being well worth while. D. Shanahan and W. J. Jarvis had been quite members during the year, and were to be congratulated. on their performances.

It was therefore regrettable that the former was now residing in Christchurch, but it was to be hoped ho would have many more successes. H. Devlin had done a good deal of work, bringing a number of persons out of the water, but little publicity had been given to his efforts. The City Council was to he thanked for the assistance it had given in the establishment of the present club building. A number of awards had been gained since the last annual meeting, and it was hoped to see a further batch won in the coming year. He suggested that some of the members of the club should act as coaches in the training of the young men to enter for their medallions. It would he of assistance not only to the club, but to the Royal Life Saving Society. In conclusion, he reminded members that the club would haye_ a good deal to do with the organising and running of the New Zealand surf championships, which would be held here. Mr John M‘Donald seconded the motion, and expressed pleasure at seeing one or two new young members ready to carry on the noble art of lifesaving. . The report was adopted. The treasurer (Mr H. E. Lewis) submitted the financial statement, which showed a credit balance of £3l 10s 7d, and which was adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS.

The following office-bearers were elected; —Patron, Mr John M‘Donald; president, Mr H. H. Henderson; vicepresidents—Messrs D. T. Woodfiekl, J. R. Rodgerson, W. N. Wood, W, Tyrie, W. Strang, A. Findlay, W. Turnbull, J. L. MTndoe, T. E. Sagar, and H. it Lyon; club captain, Mr H. D. Gillies; deputy club captain, Mr W. Jarvis; secretary, Mr H. James; treasurer, Air TT. E. Lewis; committee —Messrs G. Saxton, H, Tyrie, J. M. Rogerson, I. L. Turnbull, J. Swann, I. Hay, G. Durand, and H. Callender; delegates to Otago Swimming Centre —Messrs L. James, I. L. Turnbull, and H. D. Gillies (substitute); delegates to Roval Life Saving Society, Messrs T. Tyne and J. M. Rodgerson; delegates to Otago Surf ' Messrs H. .Tames and H. D. Gillies; Selection Committee, Messrs C. Saxton, H, D. Gillies, and I. L. Turnbull instructor, Mr C. Saxton; swimming coaches— Messrs W. J. Jarvis, H. Isaacs, P. Mathieson, J, Durand, O. Durand, and R. Geddes; polo coach, Mr J. Swann; life saving coaches —Messrs W. N. Wood, E. Lewis, H. Isaacs, C. Durand, R. Geddes, C. Elliott, A. Findlay; property steward. Mr C. Gladwin; auditor, Mr J. L. MTndoe; medical officers —Drs Greenslade, Carswell, . Murray, Allan, and Hanan.