FOXTON SURF AND LIFE SAVING CLUB.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4411, 6 February 1930, Page 3

FOXTON SURF AND LIFE SAVING CLUB.

BNTHUSLViSTIfc INAUGURAL MEETING.

Consequent upon the decision of tlio meeting convened by the Mayor (Mr. M. Ei. fjerreau). and held at the local seaside last Sudnay, to form, a Life Saving ‘Patrol to operate on the local beach, an inaugural meeting was held in the baths last evening. There was a good attendance of enthusiastic members and intending members present while Messrs, W. C. , Collier, R, E. Small and H.' T. Edgley of Palmerston N. were also in attendance and offered the club both financial and practical assistance from Palmerston N. An apology for absence was received from Mr. M. E. Perrean (chairman of, the Beach. Improvement Committee) and Mr. .H. Hutchins (President of the Foxton Swimming ;01qb) was vo(ed to the chair.

Mr. Hutchins extended a welcome to the Palmerston North visitors and said it was very gratifying to see outside gentlemen coming forward to assist in the formation of a club.. Local swimmers had made an excellent'd'fispoiise to the appeal for members and all that was required now was instruction and Foxton should possess a really fine Life 'Saving Squad. The Swimming Club was prepared to assist the cause in whatever way possible. Mr. Hutchins suggested that the Palmerston North gentlemen present should endeavour to arrange for a demonstration on the beach or at the baths by Palmerston N. Life Saving Club members. Such an exhibition at the present time would be very beneficial to the proposed local club.

LIFE SAVING AT TANGIMOANA.

In acknowledging the welcome accorded the visitors, Mr. W. C. Collier said that the Manawatu Royal Life Saving Society was very pleased to see Foxtoh taking the. initiative steps in the formation of a club to patrol the beach. Last year, at the invitation of tlio Palmerston North Society the Mara nui Life Saving Squad, of Wellington had visited Palmerston N., Tangimoana and Foxton, giving demonstrations in the surf at both latter beaches. As a result of that visit Tangimoana now had a Life Saving Club, possessing two up to uate reels and members who patrolled the beach in the correct manner. Foxton was now following in Tagimoana’s footsteps and they need have no fear of any unsurmountable difficulties. The work was not difficult but was merely a matter of common sense and following out the instructions laid down in the Royal Life Saving Society’s hook. Any normal swimmer could be a member aud non swimmers could be enrolled as honorary members. Instruction could be carried out quite well at the blahs or the beach which ever was most convenient but practice in the surf was, of course, necessary later on. The Palmerston North branch was keenly interested in the formation of the local club as its successful inauguration gave them an extra lever in their request that the Dominion Championships be held at Palmerston North next year. These championships comprised both swimming and life saving competitions and the latter would be held on the Foxton Beach in conjunction with the swimming at Palmerston N. and would be the biggest fillip life saving could possibly get locally. There was no reason why the club should not meet with-every success. The Opunake Club did not nearly possess the advantages Foxton did but last year it was able to produce the champion beltman for N.Z. and three or four other members for Dominion honours. There was no reason why Foxton should not do the same. Everything depended on the enthusiasm put into it by the individual members. Financial and practical assistance from the Manawatu Centre is yours for the asking, concluded Mr. Collier and that body’s wish is lhat you will maJke a real success i,l: life saving locally, become a real live body able to hold your own against competitors from any other part of the,Dominion.

OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY. Mr. Collier then outlined the objects of the Society aud stated that the objects of the local club should be (1) to., study the recognised methods of life saving and put them into operation on the beach whenever possible; and (2) to patrol the beach and’ to set out bathing areas and to see that people bathe in the areas set out.

lii explaining the last clause Mr. Collier s_aid that it was most essential 'that bathing areas be defined as it people where allowed to enter the water at any point the patrol might receive a call for assistance a couple of mjles up the beach and be exhausted before reaching the spot. If the club set out bathing areas and educated the people into bathing only in those areas there would be very little risk of a fatality while the public itself would enter the water with a feeling of safety which would enable them to enjoy their bathe to a much greater extent, CLUB JFOBMM). It, was unanimously decided to iorm a club to be called Boston Surf and Life Saving Club with headquarters at Box ton. It was decided to enrol senior, lunior and honorary members, junior members to comprise all those nnder the age of 18 years. Subscription waß fixed as tol iowsSenior members 2/6 and iunior members 1/6 annum. Tt was decided that the club s costume be redwitb a ffhUe bagd

and I lie secretary was instructed to write to the Mara mi i ('lab Cor particulars in regard to (lie costume and badge. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers resulted as follows:

Patron: F. S. Easton Esq.; president: Mr. M. E. Perreau; vice-pre-sidents : Messrs H. Hutchins, D. R. Barron, J. K. Hornblow, J. Linklaler, M.P., 'C. Larsen, S. Austin, Dr. E. M. Wyllie, A. Alsop, Coupe, Rear, B. 0. Gower and the following Palmerston North residents: Messrs 0. H. Neale, A. E. White--bead, J. R. Hardie, E. V. West, W. C. Collier, R. E. Small, IT. T. Edgeley; club captain: Mr. F. Burns; vice-captain: Mr. R. Reay; secretary and treasurer: Mr. A. B. McGorkindale; auditor: Mr. D. Christie; committee: Messrs D. Ball, W. Harrison, W. E. Alsop, A. Alsop, J. Robertson, and P. Hickey; honorary coach and instructor: Mr. P. Robbie (Palmerston North); delegate to Centre: Mr. P. Robbie. CLUB RULES AND BY-LAWS. Mr. Collier submitted a copy of (be rules and by-laws of the Mara nui Surf and Life ’Saving Club which were read and discussed. After certain amendments had been made the machinery rules were adopted. By-laws and further rules will he discussed at the next general meeting of the club. SHED ACCOMMODATION AND REELS.

It was reported that the Harbour Board had procured a new line for I lie reel at. present on the beach.

Mr. Collier said that two reels were necessary while the shed on the ocean beach required extending and enlarging generally. The latter would 1 possibly serve a useful purpose as it was in the meantime, however. The line at present in use was not the right kind and (lie club should take care to got I lie right type in the future. An up-to-date reel would cost £lB. With a new reel and the old one fixed up the club would have all il required to carry on in the meantime.

Mr. Collier suggested that the twenty swimmers who had handed in their names for active membership should lose no tune in practising while lie would! endeavour to arrange for members of the Palmerston North Society to visit the beach during the week end for the purpose of assisting in the instruction. GENERAL. A resolution was carried to the effect that the club affiliate with the Manawatu Head 'Centre of the Royal Life Saving Society. II was reported that several donations had been promised and it was decided that the funds of the club be devoted to assisting active members in the purchase of costumes.

At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Collier gave a short demon - slralioii al I'lie baths and put members through their exercises.

If was decided that club members meet at. the beach at 2.30 p.m. on 'Sunday for their first practice.