LIFE SAVING CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1915, Page 3

LIFE SAVING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. Tlie annual meeting of the New Plymonth Life Saving and Surf Btthing Club was held in the Town Hall last night, when there were present: Messrs L. B. Stohr, S; Smith, R. L. McElrov, H. Dciirpscy, J. Elliott, N. Day, and Ainsworth (secretary).

The following report was read:—ln presenting the annual report for your consideration, I would like to congratulate the club on the satisfactory financial position they are now in, and also for the keen interest shown by the active members. We have 33 active members on the books, including seven lady members, and, though a large number of our members have joined the reinforcements, it is to be hoped those left behind will keep up the interest in the club. The following members have joined the reinforcements: Major Fletcher, Messrs C. Brown, F. Early, D. Newel), W. Roebuck. A. Hardgravcs, L. Lcary, S. Foote and H. Jenkinson. It is pleasing to note that none of them have met with any injury so far. The following gained their "bronze medallion" and "proficenev certificates' 1 : Misses ,T. MeIsaac, 0. 'Wallach, IT. L. White, K. L. Purdue, T.M.'Gardner: MessrsG. M.Gilbert, G. C. Thornton, N. A. Christiansen, G. Foote, C. S. Marnier, F. Earlv, J. Stohr, N. Winter, S. McMurrav. W. F. Alexander, S. Grayling, W. Eyre. "Proficieny" only: Mr. A. McHardy, Miss I. Alexander, Monty Yeates. Instructors' certificates were gained by. Miss E. White, Messrs R, Jackson and D. Sykes. The thanks of the club are due to the following for donations:—Wanganui Head Centre, Messrs J. E. .'Wilson. A. S. Booker, E. W. Whittle, and to Mr. Schwartz, who has proved a great help to the members by his knowledge of life-saving methods; also the press, who are always willing to print any notes relating to the club. The Tabor Memorial Shield competition was held at the East End last Easter Monday, and after a keen competition was won by East End No. 2, whilst East End No. 1 and West End tied for second place. The receipts for the year were £22 17s and the. expenditure £O9, leaving a credit balance of £8 17s. The assets amounted to £3B 13s, including two reels and life lines. The report and balance-sheet were adopted without discussion I '.

The question of teaching' the older school boys the use of the reel was referred to. Mr. Dempsey said it was a most important matter. The Central School was handicapped by its distance from the baths, and for the first time had obtained distance swimming certificates this year. He referred to the efforts the school had made to establish a swimming bath in the Recreation Ground and also on Poverty Flat.

Mr. S. 01. Smith also emphasised the fact that the baths at the West End were too far away from the Central and High Schools. It meant practically half a day to take a squad of boys to the baths. He referred to the lack of assistance received from the public.

The secretary stated that he had waited on the chairman of the Education Board and offered to teach squads of school children Ve-Raving grips, etc., but had received no encouragement.

The election of officers was deferred to a further meeting, to be held on Monday evening, when it is hoped there will bo a larger attendance.