LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1920, Page 3

LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

1 NORTH TARANAKI CENTRE. I THE ANNUAL MEHTING. I The annual meeting of the North 'lVranak! Head Centre of the Royal Life Saving Society was held last night, Mr. W. C. Weston (president) occupying the chair. ANNUAL REPORT. Tte fourth annual report oppressed regret that the number of candidates for awards for the past season was not as large as was anticipated. It continues: "The cold summer and the unusual aanount of sickness were the chief causes of this. Other centres In New, Zealand seem to have had a .slmihr experience. In spite of these diffleuUies the following awards have been gained during the past season: Elementary 15 (last season 6); proficiency 10 (nil); medalion 9 (nil); teacher's 2 (1); instructor's 2 (nil); award of merit 2 (nil)—a total of 40, as against 7 for 1918-19 and 32 for 1917-18. Aimoujst the successful candidates may be mentioned Misses Frances Brown and Marjorie Sladden, pupils ot tte New Plymouth Girls' High School, who both obtained the Award of Merit, passing in each case with high percentages. During the past year amended rules have been drawn up for the Tarannkl Schools' Life-Saving Championship, open to secondary and technical set ools, and the Hughes Cup, open to all primary schools. Copies have been sent to all the schools in the Taranaki district.

"This year the Tabor Shield Competition was held at Waitara, .East End, North Tannakl Head Centre and Waitara each entering teams. The shield was awarded to East End with 89 points. Nortt, Taranaki Head Centre being second with 98 points, and Waitara third with 96. Th» Nelson and Wigrami Shield Competitions, open to the whole of New Eealand, were this year held in Auckland, Mr. Christiansen being selected by your executive its representative at the contests and subsequent conference. The Dominion Executive also selected Mr. Christiansen as one of the Judges In the competitions, a compliment wtich he thoroughly deserved and which your executive also appreciated. "During the season your executive arranged a demonstration in life saving at Warea. This was carried out by Mi. Christiansen, and was much appreciated by the residents of that district. It Is to be hoped mis season that similar visits will bo arranged, to other parts of the district where swimming should be still further encouraged. •"As a. recognition of Miss Frances Brows being the first pupil of the New Plymoutl' Girls' High School to instruct and present for examination a clajs in life saving, your executive decided to present her with an honorary instructor's budge. "Attention Is drawn to the sound financial position of this centre. The New Pis-mouth Borough Council donated the sum of £ls to your funds. The public of New Plymouth, too, very generously subscribed the sum of £SO 6s, and this amount carried a Government subsidy of £44 is 7d. It is Interesting to note that this centre secured just over one-half of the amount voted for the whole of New Zealand. That the centre Is able to commence the new season with such a substantial credit balance Is due largely to the efforts of Mr. S. 0. Smith, M.P. As a recognlton of his work for the centre your executive recently elected Mr. Smith a life member. He la now endeavouring to get tte Government to increase the assistance to the Royal Life Saving Centres throughout New Zealand from £162 10s td £250 per annum. In .moving the adoption of the report, the president Btated that the year had not been a good one; this was due not to lack of onI thuslasm on the part of members, but. to the unfavorable conditions regarding the weather. ! It was hoped that in tie. coming year more I work would be got through, and that a good number of candidates would be forthcoming for the various diplomas. The motion for the adoption of the report was seconded by Mr. A. R. Standlsh. The treasurer (Mr. S. G. Smith) stated that the expenditure during the year had only been £2O, and some credit was due to Mr. Christiansen for looking after this matter. The speaker pointed out that the incoming officers would start their term with a cerdlt balance of £IOO. Mr. Smith also mentioned that he had learned from the Council of the Amateur Swimming Association that they were desirous of having a branch formed In Taranaki.

ELECTION OFFICERS. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows-.—President, Mr. W. C. Weston (re-elected) ; vice-presidents, Air. W. H. Moyes, Miss Barr, Messrs. H. A. Stratford, Evans, D. 3. Hughes, L. B. Webster, F. E. Wilson, S. G. Smith, M.P., and A. R. Standiah; secretary, Mr. It. B. MaaDonald: treasurer, Mr. L. B. Webster; committee, Messrs. J. Bennett, J. Eggletou, M. D. Stagpoole, D. Sykes, O. McHardy, N. A. CUrltiausen. K. Kirk, W. Brown, and W. H. Hargreaves, J. Mcllroy, F. J. Darling; trustees. Messrs. W. C. Weston, D. J. Hughes, and J. Bennett; auditors, Messrs. W. P. Webster and A. T. Mills; delegate to Dominion Centre, Mr. Knox; honorary organiser and chief examiner, Mr. N. A. Christiansen.

GENERAL. Medals earned during the last season In connection with the Centre's tests were presented at the meeting to the following: Messrs. W. Brown, D. Kirk, and 0. Mcllardy. The question of providing a reel at Ngamotu beach was mentioned by Mr. O'Grady, and the President and Mr. Christiansen replied that if a Club was formed at Ngoimotu there would be no difficulty about taring a reel placed at Ngamptu. The committee is to consider the question of Instituting a, monthly cempetition among teams with reels on the beaches. It was decided that the committee be recommended to consider Ulie* question of awarding an honorarium to Mr. Christiansen In consideration of his work for the Centre during the season.' Mr. Christiansen replied that any tonorarlum the committee chose to vote he would donate towards securing a challenge shield for Competition by three men teams. In recognition of his services, Mr. P. A. Mathleson Is to be recommended to the headquarters of the Society in London for election as an honorary associate. A vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing officers and the Press. At a meeting of the committee held later, it was decided that £lO 10s be voted to Mr. Christiansen for past services. The following awards made by tte examiner (Mi. X. A. Christiansen), in an ezluation of pupils or the Boys' High School, were approved: .1. T. Shaw (elementary proficiency), C. Collins (elementary proficiency), G. M. Kebhell (bronze .medal), E. W. Griffiths (medal), S. G. Hayden (elementary proficiency ana medal), H. D. Maxwell (elementary proficiency and medal), T. W. Foden (medal), L. R. Tease (medal), K. Taylor (medal), E. C. Smart (medal), T. L. Hoffmann (elementary pass medal), P. C. Willis (elementary pass and medal).