THE KERR-CAMPBELL FUND-A PUBLIC APPEAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6490, 15 December 1881, Page 6

THE KERR-CAMPBELL FUND-A PUBLIC APPEAL.

TO TUB BDITOB. . Bra, —'Tis a sad and painful reflection, but a truism—God help us—that such dreadful accidents as the late case of drowning are almost necessary to rouse society from its apathy with regard to what, I submit, should be one of the most important subjects of edacation, viz., the art of swimming. I feel, and therefore write, strongly on this matter, having experienced, in more waya than one, the folly, nay, criminality, of its neglect, as I am the recipient of R.H. Society honours, it having been my great privilege, granted to but few in the short span of our natural life, to save (our fellow creatures, who could not swim, from drowning. And here it one of the most exhilarating reason* for our boys and girls to apply themselves to this art—the chance of being able to say to himself or herself: " I have saved a human life." The impossible-to-be-exaggerated delightful consciousness can only coma to one who can •wimt “therefore, boys and girls, learn at once. It is so easy. Walk into water breasthigh, then, raising your arms at right angle* with your shoulders, gently lean with your breast on the water, and, when you find your feet rise m your body becomes horizontal, •trike out with arms straight before you, but inverted, so that you sweep the water with the whole hands, finger* together j tuck them under your arm-pits, join hands and fingers palm to palm, throw them out as before, without flustering j let the leg* do as they will, they will strike out properly from sheer natural impulse, and —behold, you can ■wim!

But, Bir—mi I add this solemn warning, holding <n all respect the noble impulw which actuated the unfortunate mao Kerr, and the more fortunate mao Smith—never should a man or woman who cannot swim attempt to ■are a drowning person by going beyond hi* or her depth. 1 know not whether Kerr or Smith could iwim well, bat 1 do know that one who cannot will, more than probably, impede the drowning penon. Bow, Sir, I may be permitted to write with authority, haring been "all but" drowned on three oooaeione before I thoroughly learnt how to approach a drowning pc non. Above all, X would not let a drowning penon eee my face or arm* if I could help it, oat, when getting close to him, turn, to that he might lake me by my hair, waistcoat, or ahirt (if I had one on), or even round the body, but certainly not by my arms or neck. I will let the heaviest man X know place hit hand* on my (shoulder*, and will ewim any ordinary or probable distance, bringing him eafely to •bore, but I would not let even a boy or girl take my neck or arm. X would be literally " handicapped out of U." " But," someone oaks, "what would you do if a drowning person bad you by the nsok or arm, and were dKggtag you down, for it i» probable that you should be taken unaware* f" A home question, truly, and demanding a plain answer. Here is one, and, by my eouseienee, '(is good advioe; Hit him a "kick," with elbow or heel, below the bolt, mad dire. Pardon my long letter, and thank you for Inserting it—l am, Ac., NATATOS.