DEATHS BY DROWNING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 42, 29 November 1937, Page 6

DEATHS BY DROWNING

MORE THAN ROAD FATALITIES. WORK OF SURF CLUBS PRAISED. (Per Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, November 28. Though the toll of death on the roads was enormous, many more lives were lost annually in rivers and the sea in New Zealand, said the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple), when opening the Opunake Surf Club’s new building at Opunake. He asked how many people really appreciated the wonderful work done by New Zealand surf clubs, whose members risked their lives for the safety of the community. “If every person in the Dominion set out to do a similar job,” said Mr Semple, “he would get right back to the greatest message of the world, T am my brother’s keeper.’ ” The total figures for an average month in swimming season were: —1931, kdled on roads 13.25, drowned 25.20; 1932, 13.40 and 24.60; 1933, 10 and 25.40; 1934, 12:66 and 24.10. Surf clubs had saved 1799 people from drowning in the Dominion. If road accidents continued at the present rate 2000 would he killed and 40,000 injured, and unless something were done even more would he drowned. The main purpose of the Minister’s visit to Taranaki was to open the new bridge at Te Kiri to replace the structure washed away by a flood three years ago.