LIFE-SAVING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 255, 26 September 1929, Page 2

LIFE-SAVING

MANAWATU SUB-CENTRE’S

REPORT.

The report to be placed before the annual meeting of the Manawatu Sub-Centre of the Royal Life-Saving Society is as f u ; lows: — , , “The summer 6eason was not by any means ideal for the production of practical results, the changeable weather be lag responsible for several classes which were well forward breaking up ■ before their members had opportunities to submit then:, selves for awards. Nevertheless the following indicates substantial progress for which we feel satisfaction, especial,y as the results have been obtained almost entirely from the primary and secondary schools. Details of awards for the season 1923-29 are as follow: Y.M.C.A., Paimerston North, 8 elementary, 8 proficiency, j bronze medallion, 1 bon. instructors, > award of merit, total 28. Palmerston North Boys’ High School, 21, 14, 11, 0 51 Palmerston North Technical School 16 20 14, 0,2, 52. Feilding Agricultural High’School, 6,3, 0, 0,0, 9; Girl Guides Palmerston North, 5,5, 5,1, 0, 16. _ Gir .Guides, Feilding 2,2, 2,_ 0,0, 6. Central School 12, 12, 3,1, 0, 28. College Stree c . Q in 0 0 0 19. Terrace End School,’ 3%, 0, 0’0,3 Total: 82, proficiency 74, bronze medallion 42 hon. instructors 3, award of merit 11, total pi 9 5 •- i -■ • . "Important among the years activities have been the demonstrations which the centre has promoted at Woodville, Danm.virke, Foxton and Levin Baths at Tangimoana and Foxton beaches and at the Girl Guides’ Camps at Pohangina. In this respect we have to extend our . thanks t° the enthusiastic members of the Y.M L.A. Club and the Maranui Surf Life Sasing Club, the latter being good enough to seni i their champion surf team to demonstrate at Tangimoana. and Foxton beaches. The decision of the executive to provide competive shields for secondary schools competition was a wise one, resulting in eu thusiastic interest in the work among a the secondary schools and providing exciting and stimulating competition. Necessary amendments to the conditions of competition will still foster the interest in these coveted trophies which are at oresent held by Palmeiston North Boys High School (boys) and PMmerston North , Technical School (girls). The Schools (Pat Cunningham) Shield continues to prowda. lively interest in the work, Terrace End being successful this year in "££l f the trophy from College Street Schoo . The Weston-Smith Rose Bowl was competed for at the centre’s annual carnnal, Messrs S. Wilson and R. Hadden bein„ successful in retaining the trophy against spirited competition. As a result ofthe society’s activities, the Tangimoana Beach Improvement Society have purchased two properly equipped reels for their beaches. These have been delivered and will be ready for the work of the next season. Towards the close of the summer the centre was responsible for the formation of the Tangimoana Surf Life Saving Club which, we are sure, will be a P°"‘ er 0 / ~ood on their beaches and the district. Arrangements will be put in hand early in the coming season for the formation of a similar body at Foxton, where very great interest has been displayed and support promised by leading citizens and swimmers. “We axe very grateful indeed to tlm Borough Council for granting to all school children up to fourteen years of age who gain the proficiency certificate _of the society free passes to the Municipal Baths for one calendar year, from tho date of the award. Councillors recognised at once that that not only would such a concession be of material help to the work the society stands for, but also would incline the boys and girl 3 to a liking for enclosed pool owimming, a preference "which will. reflect itself in increased baths revenue in due course. . c , “The annual carnival was a. auccessful one and in point of attendance has not been excelled, but it was very unfortunate that, owing to an accident to their car, the Maranui Surf Club’s team _ was unable to arrive in time to take their advertised part in the evening’s programme. We wish to say that disappointment was far more keen to us than to those who were merely deprived ol their entertainment, although we express our very sincere regrets and apologies to all patrons. “A very representative deputation waited on the Borough Council on 3rd December, 1928, to urge the provision of tepid baths. The’ deputation was successful to the extent of obtaining the promise that the incoming council would be recommended to favourably consider the matter and it is honed that these greatly needed facilities win be ab established institution before lo “ The centre has been unfortunate in the past that so many trained officers have been transferred to other parts. Last year we lost the services of Messrs Leeder, Lyre, Wilton and Devine, while during the year now under review we have lost Messrs Lunn and Snell, and very soon Mr A. Brydon, who has done 6uch good work at the Technical School, will be leaving for the Training College at Wellington. Instructors and examiners particularly are required to properly conduct the centre s activities, and we trust that our adult award holders will come forward for office at the forthcoming annual general meeting to maintain the high standard that has been 6et in previous years. ... “It is pleasing to record unabated interest among the schools as t>h© list awards clearly indicates. It is the practice of Standards 4, 5 and 6 of Terrace End, Central and College Street Schools to include the land drills of the society in their daily physical exercises, so that very large classes receive instruction and many awards result. It is to be hoped that many othor schools in the district will include our drills in this way and we earnestly assure headmasters and teachers that the Centre will give all possible assistance. We offer our thanks to the headmasters, and especially our appreciation to Messrs Snell, Schwarz and Trevena of the primary schools, and Messrs Werry (Boys’ High School) and Brydon (Technical School) for their constant interest in both swimming and lifesaving, and the fesults obtained. “Mr Leddra at Levin has been responsible for the formation of a Life-Saving Committee, the members of which confidently expect to establish a number of classes. The Dannevirke and Woodville Clubs have also introduced the work among their members and the local schools, while we are sure the Tangimoana and Foxton Clubs will be factors towards increased activity in their respective districts. It is hoped to make suitable arrangements to tour the whole district during the coming year and further introduce the work by means of lectures and demonstrations. “We are grateful for the grant from the T. G. McCarthy Board of, Trustees without which we would have experienced great difficulty in carrying on the work. We are glad to report that the T. G. McCarthy Trustees have seen fit to grant the centre a further sum of £25, and we gratefully acknowledge not only the welcome assistance, but also the confidence the board by their action expresses in the centre’s officials and work. “To tho Press for continued support; to the Borough Counoil for their generous concessions; to our president tor his lively interest in the work; and to all those who havo in many ways made the year a progressive and pleasant one for toe officials, wo extend tho best thanks of toe centre We beg a continuance of dm support and only remind our supporters that there is no similar institution more deserving or of greater value to the communitv. We look forward to an active and prosperous year.”