LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1919, Page 6

LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the North Taranaki Head Centre of the Royal Life Saving Society was held last night, Mr. J. Bennett presiding over a small attendance- | The annual report, which was presented by the secretary, stated that the year had not been so prosperous as previous years, the cause of the small results being beyond the control of the society. In addition to military duties taking a large number of active members away, the influenza epidemic had interfered seriously with the work and made it almost impossible for the schools, as well as members, to carry out the usual instructional classes, and, in consequence, ihe awards issued for the year had suffered considerably. The annual competitions had proved successful. Although the entries for the school competitions were not so numerous as in previous years, the contests had been keen, and the work had been favorably commented upon by the examiner. The Senior Cup was won by the New 'Plymouth Girls' High School and the Junior Cup by the Central boys' team. The Tabor Shield Competition took place at Waitara, the local club succeeding in retaining the trophy, the only other competitors being the New Plymouth Girls' High School. Satisfaction was expressed at the grant received from the Borough Council and at the effort of the Dominion executive to secure an increased grant from the Government. Hope was expressed tliat, with the return of normal conditions, the coming year would bo made a record one. Much of the past success was due to the efforts of a small band of workers, special mention being made of Mr. N. A. Christiansen, Mr. J. Laing (Waitara), and Mrs. M. Laurence (Warea). The balance sheet showed a credit of £3l Gs sd. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Tho election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. W. C. Weston; vice-presidents, Misses J. R. Barr and E. 0, Stanford, Messrs D. P. Evans, H. A. Stratford, W. H. Moves, A. S. Brooker, S. Of. Smith, M.P, W. I'. Xieoll, and C. 11. Burgess; secretaries, Messrs N. A. Christiansen and N. Winter; treasurer, Mr. S. (i. Smith; committee, Misses E. White and I. Gardiner, Messrs J. Bennett, A. li. Standish, P. A. Matheson, W. Ainswortli, R. L. Mcllroy, W. H. Hardgreaves, A. W. Hardgreaves, and C. A. McKinney; trustees, Messrs D, «T. Hughes, W. C. Weston, and J- Bennett; auditors", Messrs C. T. Mills and W, P. Webster; delegates to Dominion executive, Mr. B. S. Knox (Christehureh). Revised rules for the conduct of the Tabor Shield Competition were adopted. It was decided that in the finals of the schools competitions two judges should be appointed, and also in the Tabor Shield Competition, in which it was also decided to have a medical judge for the resuscitation, promoting warmth, etc. An offer was received from Mr. J. Bennett, and accepted with thanks, of a silver medal for each member of the second team in tho Tabor Shield Competition. It was decided to recommend to the committee to consider affiliation with the Canterbury Surf and Life Saving Association. I A special vote of thanks was accorded the secretary for his services, and he was voted an honorarium of £5. In acknowledging the compliment, Mr. Matheson made an appeal to those who held certificates to make a point of carrying; out instruction work, which really represented the chief work of the* society, and, of course, the more awards made in the year tho greater share of the Government subsidy would come to the centre. Votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring officers and committee for their services, and to the Spiritualists' Society for the free use of the room for holding meetings in. Thanks were also expressed (for. the assistance of the local preßS.