Life Saving

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 January 1916, Page 2

Life Saving

LE\ l.N'iS SATIsSF ACi'O R Y EFEORTis The articles which appeared in our columns last week respecting the aims ol the Hoy a I Life >S«vmg Society and the visit of its chief honorary instructor, Mr J. A. Unify, have no. doubt recalled to the mind of our readers the. very interesting demonstrations that have been given on previous occasions ii.V visiting teams of lile-savers from Welligton. The practical utility of the methods of life-saving and resuscitation of the apparently drowned commended themselves to us then, and we looked forward to tlie time when the borough would be in a position to boast of a band oi practical qualified men. The time has now come. Mr Duffy commenced o'i -Monday afternoon, 10th iust with the lads of the Boys' Training Farm and with tliose of the local swimmers who wore interested enough to come forward for instruction. Air Duffy's task was a. difficult one, yet nevertheless he was able on Friday last to apply to 'uis headquarters tor tlie official examiner to proceed t,o Levin to test the ability of the classes under instruction. Mr \V. C. Collier, examiner and hon. secretary of the Wellington headcentre (to whom hearty thanks are due) arrived on Saturday morning and proceeded forthwith with the examination of conu-idates, the results of which he has handed, to us lor publication. They are as follows: —

Coronation Amateur Swimming and Life Saving Club. Elementary Certificates.— William H. Walker, William J. Rowan. Frederick ii. Musgrove, William u. Clark. Boys' Training Eann, Weraroa. Elementary Certificates.—Wilfrid J. Pope, Robot L. Green, John P. Dunning,,. Rupert E. Burlinson, James f. i'. .\Lctiill, William Fredericks, John G. .McLaughlin, Robert Colcord Proficiency Certificates—John i'. Dunning, Rupert E. Burlinson, Robert L. Green, Wilfrid J. i'ope, William i redericks, James E. F. McGill. Bronze Medallions.—John P. Dunning, Rupert E. Burlinson, .Robert L. Green, Wilfrid J. Pope.

Hon. Instructors' Certilicatc-s.—Rup e.t 1 ( '. liurliuson, Wilfrid J. i'ope.

The achievment of such u result in so snort a time says much for Mr Duffy's organizing methods and scheme ot instruction, especially as lie had practically first to seek ins candidates and then lick them . into shape for the examiner. We sincerely trust chac the candidates who have been successful will now make an earnest endeavour to encourage and instruct others in this valuable art so that they in turn may become qualified to hold these much valued awards.

Both Mr Collier and Mr Duffy expressed greet t regret that the local baths should: be so poorly patronised. 'hi eaoii day of their visit ideal summer conditions prevailed, yet on no occasion have the baths been in any way well patronised. The bath itself is, in their opinion, ail exceptionally fine one placed in a very good position. The tempeittture of the water reached 70 degrees 011 Sunday last and thus might be considered almost tepiSi in its nature. That the community remain so indifferent to such a valuable asset conies rather as a shock to them, and leads them to think that the people have not thought of the great effect such an acoommodaion is in respect to moral training, especially of the young. The value of bathing Iron) a hygienic point of rew is indispensable and the health-giving pleasure of bathing should have a great many mole followers in this town.

Messrs Collier and Duffy also visited iJokio Boacli on Sunday afternoon, and arc? of the opinion that the Otaki* e.nJ of it is certainly dangerous lor any but strong swimmers. The northern end appears much more safe, but the authorities should have an arrangement of mo-able danger posts so that dangerous spots can bo marked as a -warning to those who indulge in swimming n the lireaki-rs. These dangerous spots are noticeable by reason of the fact that they ar*> comparatively calm during heavy weather, indicating either a hole or a strong undertow. Swimmers should beware of these conditions