DANGER OF DROWNING.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1916, Page 6

DANGER OF DROWNING.

KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE SAVING METHODS. INSTRUCTION TO SCHOOIi ' CHILDREN. A deputation from the Now Plymouth Life Saving Club waited on the Ttirauaki Education Board yesterday to ask the Board to introduce in the schools instruction in Hfe-saviug. , Mr. D. ,]. Hughes (the president) dwelt on the necessity of a, knowledge of life-saving methods,"and pointed out that many a life had been lost .through want of knowledge in dealing with the drowning cases. This knowledge was wanted in the country, where there were bathing pools, jus.t as much as it was wanted by people living near the sea. The interest of children was required nnd he thought every child should receive this instruction' just as much as instruction in other matters. The methods could be taught in the classrooms, for experience had shown that people who had learned the methods in theory could always put them into practice.

Mr. \V. Ainswortli (the secretary of tlie chib) supported the remarks of' Mr. Hughes. He said members of the Club would be prepared to give instruction. The ttev. -a. B. Clwppell said the need for tliis knowledge Enlist bo apparent to all. It was needed inland as much as in the coastal towns, for tho number of drowning accidents in the country exceeded those in the seaside towns. Ho was Bi'i'o ;the children would go in for the instruction with enthusiasm. Mr. Ballantyno (the. chief inspector), said life-saving was taken up in some schools, but he would like to see the instruction extended. After some further, discussion th» offer of the elub to visit schools and instruct children in the methods of lifepaving was accepted, and it was decided to instruct teachers to give prominence to life-saving instruction.