“More Life-Saving Instruction Needed”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 229, 16 December 1927, Page 13

“More Life-Saving Instruction Needed”

INADEQUATE FACILITIES HEADMASTER'S COMPLAINT That facilities for the giving of life-saving instruction in Auckland were inadequate was the opinion expressed by Mr. F. W. Gamble, headmaster of the Mount Albert Grammar School last evening, in referring at the prime-giving cere mony to the gift to the school of a life-saving trophy from the Mayor of Mount Albert, Mr. L, E. Rhodes. Despite the fact that Auckland possesses one of the finest harbours in the world, it lags far behind other New* Zealand centres as regarded instruction in swimming and life-saving, remarked Mr. Gamble. In the latest report of the New Zealand Life-saving Society it. was shown that in aawrds granted Wellington secured £35. Wanganui 625. and Auckland 7. while the Wigram Life-saving Shield was won by Wanganui with 2.01 G points, against Auckland’s S 3. Ho considered that such a. state of affairs called for urgent attention. As a whole. Auckland schools were destitute of swimming baths and the use of the municipal baths were almost prohibitive.

Mr. Gamble gratefully acknowledged the Mayor’s gift, which he said would act ns a further incentive to the boys to qualify themselves in life-savins; work.

Mr. Rhodes said he agreed with tli*remarks of the headmaster, and any proposal for the provision for swimming facilities in the borough would have his whole-hearted support.