ROYAL LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1917, Page 6

ROYAL LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

KEEPING UP THE STANDARD.

TARANAKI HEAD CENTRE.

A meeting of the executive of the Royal Life Saving Society, Tarauaki Head Centre, was held last night, when there were present: Messrs D. J. Hughes (president), S. G. Smith, J. Stohr, P. Flanagan, N. A. Christiansen, and P. A. Schwartz (secretary).

THE GOVERNMENT GRANT. Discussion took place over the allocation of the Government grant of £73, which was distributed as follows: Wellington £ls, Canterbury £lO, Wangjimi £l2 10s, Hawke's Bay £7 Ids, Otago £lO, Auckland £l2 'lOs, and North Taranaki £7 10s. It was decided on the motion of Messrs Christiansen and Flanagan, to ask tho head executive to give information as to the basis on which this was allocated. The opinion was expressed that the money should be equally divided among the several head centres, as had been done in the caso of the giant of £45 for the encouragement of life saving in primary and seconda*y schools. EXAMINERS' REPORTS.

'The secretary in reading the examiners' reports', stated that this had been a record month for examinations. The reports showed that 124 candidates had presented tlioiiiiolves for e\uuiifl»t;nii, and 102 had passed, as follows:

Honorary Instructors' Certificates: Claude McKay and H. Goss (New Plymouth High School). Teachers' Certificates: Claude McKay, H. Goss, Brian Johns (New Plymouth High School), Mona Jackson (Chetwode School). Bronze Medallions: Maurice Osborne. Lan Renaud, Basil Graylin, Stuart Spence, Roy Wills, Claude Kynkdon, Brian Johns,. Derek Denny-Brown, Frcdk. Train, Beresfo'rd Sturtevant, Reginald Howell, Philip Atkinson, Edward Pope, Edward Reeves, Cedric Zinsti, Lionel O. Halloran, Ronald Eoon, Hugh Brycc (New Plymouth High School), Patrick Flanagan.

Proficiency Certificates: Freda Hirsij. Elnii C'artliew, Helen Atkinson (Clielwodc School), May .U. Smart, Violet J,. Hurle, -Maurice Osborne, lan Kenaud, Leonard Rawson, Douglas' Mcikle, Ceoil Fookcs, Eric Smart, Kenneth Ducker, Herbert Boon, Stuart Spence, Roy Will*, Claude Kyngdon, Brian Horner, Bruce Hutchcn, Derek Denny-Brown, Keg. Howell, Philip Atkinson, Edward Pope, Ronald Boon, Hugh Bryce, Twysden Forbes, Waterson, Frank Williams, Cecil Duckworth, Basil Hooper, Cecil Smith (New Plymouth High School), Patrick Flanagan. Elementary Certificates: Freda Hirst, Elma Carthcw (Chetwodc School), Mary D. Smart, Violet L. Hurle, Dorothy E. Watkin, Maurice Osborne, lan Reiiaud, Colin Smart, Arthur Walter, Douglas Meikle, Cecil Fookes, Eric Smart). Kenneth Ducker, Herbert Boon, Stuart Spence, Roy Wills, Claude Kyngdon, Brian Hornet Sydney Train, Derek Denny-Brown, Reginald Howell, Philip Atkinson. Edward Pope, Ronald Boon, Hugh Brycc, Waterson, Twysden Forbes, Frank Williams, Cecil Duckworth, Ivan Watkins, Basil Hooper, Cecil Smith, Surrey S. Allcnian (New Plymouth High School), George Ovendon, Harry Hoffmann, Ernest Rupert Way, Leslie Jenkins, Leonard Abbott, Stuart Elliot, Lanes Freethy, Horace Tweedale, Edgar Coleman, Charlie Smith, Kenneth' Taylor (Central School), P. Flanagan. The High School and Central awards will be made at the school.

The chairman stomal that an expert had said that he thought it would have been better if some of the tests were held in the sea.

Mr Christiansen stated that lie had heard this before. People who were not certificated and knew nothing about 1 the matter, said it would be better to have tiie examination in the sea, but if the examinations were to be carried out correctly, the baths .were the only place.

Mr Christiansen referred to the .slipshod maimer in which examinations for certificates, etc, were carried out in some of the clubs under the centre. He urged on all examiners to be strict, with the object of keeping the tests at a high standard. He pointed out that they were teaching people not to save themselves, but to save others, and if they could not save themselves, whatmse was it giving thein the bronze medallion.

Me also commented strongly on the slaclc way in which awards were, given in Auckland. He had seen some of the work and was not satisfied with it. It appeared as though it might be possible for a candidate who failed here to get through in Auckland, and that should not be.

The president said this must be guarded against.

Air Christiansen said that they were working hard in Xcw Plymouth to raise the standard. He suggested that the matter should be placed before the notice ot the Dominion executive who should ascertain whether Auckland conducted their examinations according to the handbook, as to obtain 22 honorary instructors' certificates from 29 bronze medallion candidates appeared impossible. * ''

Ihc secretary stated that he had already written on the matter, and his action was confirmed.

GBXEHAL, A letter was received from tin; committee and headmaster of the LepperUn seliool, thanking the ceiitrj fir the visit of its team to Lepperlou on March 8.

On the recommendation of the examiners, Messrs P. A. Schwartz and L \ Christiansen, it was decided to give' a candidate anotiier opportunity of securing his award of merit.

A vote of thanks was accorded Dr Wade fo»- the donation of a chart. Mr Flanagan stated that Mr All Gray had expressed his willingness to aive lectures on physiology at any time. A vote of thanks .was accorded Mr Gray Central school was affiliated to "the centre.

Mr P. A. Schwartz stated that there was every prospect of a teachers' class being formed, as he had already ken ap . pinached by one or two teachers now in New Plymouth. It was su«ge«Ul that it might be possible to arrange to «ive a demonstration to all the teachers and the president and secretary were appointed to interview the teachers on the subject.

The necessity of the centre bavin* a elubroom of its own, in which records and matters of interest to the centre could be kept, was stressed, and it was deeded, on the motion of the president and Mr Smith, that the executive wait on tht Borough Council and ask that a room be provided at Uw baths " -Jftt J. Stoh/, ufc 0 !»,*» fw the

front shortly!, tendered his resignation from the executive. The resignation was accepted with regret, and it was decided that all members of the society who had gone to the front should retain their membership.