SAFETY FOR BATHERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1932, Page 10

SAFETY FOR BATHERS.

PATROLLING THE BEACHES. LIFEGUARD CORPS MOOTED. INSTRUCTION IN SWIMMING. When a letter was read at the City Council on Thursday from the Waitemata Swimming Club asking whether the council would recognise the club's proposed life-saving patrol at Mission Bay, which would be instituted as soon as the club's team had passed the necessary examination, the Mayor,' Mr. G. W. Hutchison, said that representatives of the • Royal Life-saving Society had informed him the society was endeavouring to form an organisation for patrolling all the Auckland beaches with the assistance of the various surf and swimming clubs. Arrangements could no doubt be made for the Wiaitemata Club to co-operate. The letter was referred to the parks committee.

Mr. D. J. F. Langley, secretary of the Royal ' Life-saving - head centre, stated to-day that when he and Mr. H. C. Sidford, a member of the executive, interviewed the Mayor, he promised to call a meeting of prominent citizens if they were agreeable to attend subsequent to their support being sought by the deputation.

As 71 lives have teen lost in Auckland since 1926, the Auckland centre has decided to form a corps of life guards for the protection of the public on beaches in and around the city. There are a number of popular beaches totallyunprotected so far as life-saving equipment and teams are concerned, principal among them being Point Chevalier, Mission Bay and Marine Park, Motuihi. Fortunately these areas have been almost free from loss of life. It is suggested that the beaches in question be equipped with a life line and reel, and if possible a small shed to house it and that a team of not less than three qualified life-savers be on duty every Sunday; later Saturday afternoons could be added to the duty list. The captain of the team would be a member of a purf-club,

It is the intention of the society to offer all large picnic parties (particularly to Motuihi) the services of a team to accompany tliem in the same way as the St. John Ambulance is in attendance. • 1■ ■ ■>

The life guards -will not only keep a constant look-out, .but they will teach swimming and life saving. It is realised that the society's job is to look after the water and relieve the St. John Ambulance of this responsibility, as one ofi its' members was drowned a year or so ago while attempting a rescue. The personnel for the teams is already i available, but it is recognised that the formation of such an organisation can only be accomplished with the good will and support of the City Council, other local bodies and leading citizens.