LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1918, Page 7

LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. ' The annual meeting of the North Taranaki Head Centre of the Royal LifeSaving Society was held last night. In the absence of the president (Mr. D. J. Hughes) the chair was occupied by Mr. S. (i. Smith, who expressed the appreciation of the society of the interest in, and practical support given to, the work by Mr. Hughes. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated, inter alia, that as a result of a.good number of the centre's workers being away on active service, the membership of the society, and the number of awards issued during the year, showed a decrease on last year's figures. The awards issued during the year were: Award of Merit, 1; Hon. Instructors' Certificates, 3; Teachers' Certificates, fij Bronze Medallions, 19; Proficiency Certificates, 42; Elementary Certificates, 64; total, 134. A total of 27 schools had been visited, 1553 pupils being addressed. The number of pupils able to swim was 553 (about 29.84 per cent.), and very few of these had received any life-saving instruction. Two clubs had been formed during the year, the Inglewood Swimming and Lifesaving Club, and the Opunake Surf Club. For the Tabor Shield the Waitara gained first place with 90J points, East End being second with 83$, and the Girls' High School team third with 82 points. This year saw the Taran&ki Schools' Life-saving Competitions inaugurated, 4 teams competing in the secondary competition, and 18 teams in the primary section. The final result was:—Senior grade: Chetwode Private School (girls), 1; New Plymouth Boys' High School No. 2, 2; New Plymouth Boys' High School No. 1, 3. Primary schools: West End (New Plymouth) No. 2, 1; Central (New Plymouth) No. 4, 2; Eltham District High No. 2, 3. The high standard of work through the contests reflected great credit on the teams' instructors. The New Plymouth Borough Council had granted a subsidy of £ls with which to carry on our work this year. The balance-sheet showed total receipts at £B3 ss, and a credit balance of £l9 19s 6d. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, urged the necessity for a systematic effort to increase the membership of the society. The motion was seconded by Mr. W. C. Weston, who congratulated the society on the position it had reached in so short a period, and mentioned specially the services rendered by the secretary. The motion was carried unanimously. NEW MEMBERS. The chairman intimated that as a mark of appreciation of the work done !by the society amongst the schools, the members of the Taranaki Education Board and the Board of Governors of the New Plymouth High Schools desired to become members of the society. He moved their election, which was carried unanimously. Miss A. Hickford and Mr. S. Stroude were also elected members. Messrs. F. Darling and P. J. Flannagan resigned from the society, and the resignations were accepted with regret, letters of thanks to be sent in recognition of services rendered. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers Resulted as follows: President, Mr. D. J. Hughes; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. C. Weston, C. 11. Burgess (Mayor), A. S. Brooker, W. U. Moyes, N. K. McDiarmid, H. A. Stratford, Mrs. Dowling, Miss Barr, and Miss Stanford; secretary, Mr. P. A. Mathieson; treasurer, Mr. S. G. Smith; committee, Misses E. White, H. White and I. Gardiner, Messrs. J. Bennett, N. A. Christensen, R. L. McHroy, J. Corrigal, 11. Jury; trustees, Messrs. D. J. Hughes, J. Bennett and W. ,C. Weston; Messrs. T. Mills and E. P. Webster. A vote of thanks was passed to the Borough Council for the donation to the society's funds. Thanks was also accorded the auditors for their services. An honorarium of £5 5s was voted to the secretary for his services. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings.