AQUATIC CARNIVAL.

Otaki Mail, 6 March 1922, Page 2

AQUATIC CARNIVAL.

AND LIFE-SAVING DEMONSTRATION. Arrangements are being pushed forward for the aquatic carnival and lifesaving demonstration to be held ou the Otaki beach on Saturday. The Committee is meeting with encouraging support from the citizens in tho way of subscriptions to provide prize-money and meet other contingencies, and Mr Byron Brown has responded with his usual generosity by donating a shield for a life-saving competition to be held annually. The object of the carnival is, of course, to lay the foundation for the formation of a life-saving club in Otaki, for it is obvious that as this resort has now gained wide popularity and is largely availed of by local residents ; ml visitors, that a provision’nbf safety such as is provided by such «, club. If a s tjecome a necessity. There is no lack of aquatic or swimminb enthusiasts in Otaki, and the proposal should appeal to them. With this in tuind. there should be no difficulty in the successful launching of such a venture, and if so there will be a future of useful service before it. an entertaining programme of events has been drawn up for the carnival, and includes a marching competition and parade for life-saving teams, land drill, shield lifesaving competition, swimming races for boys and n treasure hunt. Life-saving clubs from Wellington, Wanganui and Packsknriki are to be present and will take part in the competitions, and give a good insight into actual life-saving work. The Wanganui Visitors. Mr 1). J. Reardon, captain of tho Castlecliff Life-Saving Club, was in Otaki during the week-end. He informed the “Mail” that lip had brought down with him the reel which he promised to present to Otaki, and it has been safely delivered nt the beach. Although the date of the carnival would clash with a regatta championship in Wanganui, he was certain of bringing a good team down, alj of them able swimmers, and capable of giving a good exhibition of life-saving work. The team will include Peter Dickson (winner of the bridge to bridge race). Trevor Thomas (winner of 226 yards championship), and Eri* Furlong, and Alf. Muller, well-known distance swimmers. Tt is more than probable, too, Mr Reardon said, that. Mr Veiled), M.P.. who is keenly interested in life-saving, will accompany the team. Touching on safety provision on the beaches. Mr Reardon said it was absolutely necessary to restrict bathing to a certain area of the beach which must be marked off by flags. A surf club could not control miles of beach, and some provision of tho kind should be brought into operation in Otaki when a club was formed to give the j members a fair chance of success should their services lie required. “And conveniences nt the Otaki beach are badlyneeded.” Mr Reardon.*?-, con cbfffe'L “Tilings have changed since the 10 Captain Cook passed along (his cdaW. and the time has come when up-to-date conveniences become a necessity. Last, but not Ipast. everybody should bolp in bowsting the carnival.”